Recommendations / 22/10/2019

Can a positive D-dimer test be wrong?

However, low specificity limits the usefulness of D-dimer testing. Specificity is typically between 40% and 60%, leading to a high rate of false-positive results. Several factors, other than PE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are associated with positive D-dimer results.

Can you have a high D-dimer for no reason?

Also, high D-dimer levels are not always caused by clotting problems. Other conditions that can cause high D-dimer levels include pregnancy, heart disease, and recent surgery. If your D-dimer results were not normal, your provider will probably order more tests to make a diagnosis.

What kind of heart disease causes high D-dimer?

High D- dimer levels occur in many diseases in which the coagulation system is activated, such as acute venous thromboembolism, ischemic heart disease, and cancer.

Can infection cause elevated D-dimer?

In conclusion, D-dimer levels are commonly elevated in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Significantly higher levels are found in those with critical illness and may be used as a prognostic marker for in-hospital mortality.

What type of inflammation causes high D-dimer?

Elevated D-dimer levels in patients with vasculocentric and/or vasculopathic inflammation suggest that vascular endothelial damage may be occurring and that these patients may be at higher risk of venous thromboembolic events.

What are the results of a chest xray and EKG?

The chest X-ray and EKG verified no fracture in the bone and the heart function is normal. Deep breathing test also verified lungs is working properly. The blood tests showed everything normal. No signs of internal inflammation or infection.

What should I do if I have chest pain but normal EKG?

Ask your doctor about a CT angiogram. A CT angiogram is non-invasive and will show if you have blockages in your coronary arteries. Board certified in internal medicine/cardiovascular disease, Dr. Kershner treats abnormal EKG and abnormal stress test among many other cardiac conditions.

Is the deep breathing test normal for chest pain?

Deep breathing test also verified lungs is working properly. The blood tests showed everything normal. No signs of internal inflammation or infection. The second doctor now suspects as it doesn’t seem to be a bone, chest or blood related problem, it might be a nerve/spinal damage related disease.

How to diagnose chest pain with chest radiograph?

Fever, egophony, and dullness to percussion suggest pneumonia, which can be confirmed with chest radiograph. Although some patients with chest pain have heart failure, this is unlikely in the absence of dyspnea; a brain natriuretic peptide level measurement can clarify the diagnosis.

Can a normal ECG show normal D-dimer?

ECG showed a normal sinus rhythm, and a follow-up chest radiograph and a non-contrast CT scan of chest did not demonstrate any significant findings. Acute PE was ruled out since the D-dimer assay was normal and the pretest probability was low-moderate.

How long does a D-dimer test stay elevated?

DISCUSSION: D-dimer assay is a highly sensitive test used in the evaluation of PE. It is a measure of monoclonal antibody to D-Dimer produced during the process of fibrinolysis. D-dimer has a half-life of 4-6 hours and stays elevated for about seven days.

Can a normal D-dimer be used to diagnose DVT?

Typically, D-dimer assay has a very high sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 99-100% in both low and moderate risk groups. We present a unique case of diagnosing extensive PE with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in presence of a normal D-dimer.