D-dimer level detected deep venous thrombosis in the rehabilitation setting

The high frequency of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients hospitalised for an intensive treatment program of rehabilitation, represents a real and relevant problem because most episodes of DVT of the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism are clinically silent. (6). Plasma level of d-dimer (DD), a degradation product of cross-linked fibrin, is elevated in the presence of thrombus. The aim of this study was to determine the sensibility and specificity of whole blood DD assay in a population of patients admitted to our rehabilitation centre in order to perform an intensive rehabilitative program. Final diagnosis was confirmed by venous colour-code duplex Doppler ultrasonography. Our study confirms that DD level had significant ability to discriminate between patients with or without DVT (P<001) thus, it could have a specific role in the diagnostic procedure in patients at risk of developing DVT as on admission or during rehabilitation treatment.