FIBRIN BREAKDOWN PRODUCTS: D-dimers are protein substances resulting from the action of 3 enzymes, @entity556 , factor XIII and @entity1351 , on the fibrinogen molecules. In the case of @entity715 , all these enzymatic reactions are activated, explaining the increase in D-dimer levels induced. The notion of a threshold is only significant for a given test; the 500 micrograms/L threshold is widely used for tests relying on ELISA methods (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). FROM A TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW: The use of D-dimer ELISA in excluding @entity1151 is now well established. New quantitative tests with latex, based on a turbidimetric method, also appear interesting in this context. The latter is reliable, rapid, inexpensive, remarkably sensitive (97 to 100%) and widely available. INTEREST: Performed in the initial stages of diagnosis in an out- @entity1 population with a 20-25% prevalence of the disease, it excludes the diagnosis in around 30% of @entity1 . Decisional analysis models have shown that this method is economically profitable. However, in elderly hospitalised @entity1 , its clinical utility is lesser because of its low specificity in this population. The association of high clinical probability of @entity1151 and normal D-dimer leves is rare and has a weaker negative predictive value, even when the ELISA technique is used.

[Value of D-dimers in diagnosis of XXXX ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity556 :: ('2147', 'Gene') :: ['thrombin'] @entity1151 :: ('MESH:D011655', 'Disease') :: ['pulmonary embolism'] @entity1351 :: ('5340', 'Gene') :: ['plasmin'] @entity715 :: ('MESH:D013927', 'Disease') :: ['thrombosis']
@entity1151 :: (MESH:D011655,Disease) :: ['acute pulmonary embolism']
