Patient-Level Meta-analysis: Effect of Measurement Timing, Threshold, and Patient Age on Ability of D-Dimer Testing to Assess Recurrence

Background: In patients with a first unprovoked venous thrombo-embolism (VTE), an elevated D-dimer level after anticoagulation is stopped is a risk factor for recurrent VTE. However, questions remain about the utility of measuring D-dimer in clinical practice. Purpose: To determine whether the timing of testing, patient age, and the cut point used to define a positive or negative result affect the ability of D-dimer testing to distinguish risk for recurrent disease