Thrombin Potential and D-Dimer

BACKGROUND: Increased thrombin generation is asso-ciated with an increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism. We investigated the relation be-tween endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism and evaluated whether prediction of recurrence can be improved by a combined analysis of ETP and D-dimer. METHODS: We followed 861 patients with first spon-taneous venous thromboembolism and determined ETP and D-dimer after discontinuation of antico-agulation. Patients with natural inhibitor deficiency, lupus anticoagulant, or cancer were excluded. The study endpoint was symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients (15.1%) ha