Fibrin d-dimer concentration, deep vein thrombosis symptom duration, and venous thrombus volume

Introduction: To determine the relationship between fibrin D-dimer levels, symptom duration, and thrombus volume, consecutive patients with incident deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were evaluated. Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, patient symptom onset was determined by careful patient questioning. Venous thrombosis was confirmed by compression duplex ultrasonography. Thrombus volume was estimated based on patient's femur length using a forensic anthropology method. Fibrin D-dimer was measured by latex immunoassay. Results: 72 consecutive patients with confirmed leg DVT agreed to participate. The median symptom duration at the time of diagnosis was 10 days. The median D-dimer concentration was 1050 ng/dL. The median thrombus volume was 12.92 cm ³. D-Dimer levels correlated with estimated thrombus volume (P <.0006 CI 0.12-0.41; R²_adjusted =.15) but not symptom duration, patient's age, or gender. Conclusions: Despite varying symptom duration prior to diagnosis, fibrin D-dimer remains a sensitive measure of venous thrombosis and correlates with thrombus volume.