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HelpTest Code LAB313 D-Dimer
Clinical System Name
D-Dimer
Synonyms
LAB313
D-DIMER
D Dimer
DDimer
FDP
Fibrin Degradation Products
Sample Requirements
Specimen: Whole Blood
Container(s): Lt Blue/Citrate
Required Vol: one 1.8 mL tube or one 2.7 mL tube (do NOT over or under fill)
Minimum Vol: N
Note: This is enough for a PT, PTT, Fibrinogen, and D-Dimer on the same sample. Preferred method of collection is venipuncture with vacuum fill. Test results are affected by incorrect blood volume. Use of a Vascular Access Device for the collection of coag testing is not recommended.
If this method is used it requires a 5 cc clearing volume; 3 cc for size 2 French catheter or smaller. Blood must be transferred to the Lt Blue/Citrate tube by use of a blood transfer device to ensure proper fill.
Specimen should be centrifuged within 1 hour of collection.
Processing Instructions
Main Campus CPA: Core Technologist will process specimen. Deliver blood directly to Core Coag bench.
Reject due to: Clotted, Insufficient quantity (underfill), or Improper collection (overfill).
Spin: Y
Aliquot: Y
Storage location: Core 14 Freezer ( -70 C).
Core Technologist: Specimen should be centrifuged within 1 hour of collection. Spin whole blood, remove plasma. Transfer upper 3/4 layer of plasma to plastic tube affixed with large computer label.
Off-site collection: Preferred method of collection is venipuncture with vacuum fill. Test results are affected by incorrect blood volume, note the fill line on the tube. Use of a Vascular Access Device for the collection of coag testing is not recommended. If this method is used it requires a 5 mL waste volume; 3 mL for size 2 French catheter or smaller. Blood must be transferred to the Lt Blue/Citrate tube by use of the blood transfer device.
Specimen should be centrifuged within 1 hour of collection. Double spin, transfer upper 3/4 layer of plasma to plastic tube affixed with large computer label. Freeze until solid one aliquot of 1.0 mL plasma in plastic tube at -70C (preferred) or -20C.
Non-Children's Hospital Off-site collection: Ship completely frozen on dry ice.
Children's Regional Clinics: Ship completely frozen in frozen Nalgene Labtop cooler with ice pack inside an insulated soft cooler.
Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Citrated platelet-poor plasma | Room temp | ≤ 4 h |
| Refrigerated | N | |
| Frozen -20 C or -70 C | ≤ 3 m |
Availability
| STAT | Performed | TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Y |
Daily |
1 h |
Performing Laboratory
Seattle Children's Laboratory
Department
Department: Coagulation
Phone Number: 206 987-2617 (Client Services)
CPT Codes
85378
Methodology
Method: Latex Agglutination using the immuno-turbidimetric determination by STA-R MAX
Analytical Volume: 1 mL plasma
This is enough for a PT, PTT, Fibrinogen, and D-Dimer on the same sample.
Limitations: Results affected by moderate lipemia, moderate hemolysis, and moderate icterus.
Method is affected by improper collection, processing, and storage.
High hematocrit greater than or equal to 56% requires a citrate adjusted tube.
Reference Range
≤ 0.5 ug/mL FEU
Critical Values
Not defined for this test.
Description
This particular test is used in conjunction with other tests (e.g. Platelet count, Clauss Fibrinogen, Thrombin Time, and to a lesser extent PT and APTT) to identify patients with DIC.