The emerging value of serum D-dimer measurement in the work-up and management of ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: Elevated D-dimer levels are a marker of both thrombin formation and fibrinolysis. Currently D-dimer measurement is routinely used for ruling out venous thromboembolism and diagnosis/monitoring of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Recent emerging data suggest that D-dimer may become an important biomarker in ischemic stroke as well as in cardiovascular diseases. AIMS: To outline the clinical utility of D-dimer in work-up and management of ischemic stroke. SUMMARY: D-dimer measurement is most useful in stroke with active cancer as it can confirm etiologic diagnosis, predict recurrent stroke risk, and aid treatment decision in cancer-associated stroke. In cryptogenic stroke, high D-dimer levels can also provide clues for the cause of stroke as occult cancer and undetected cardiac embolic source as occult atrial fibrillation and may be helpful in treatment decision making of secondary stroke prevention. Serial D-dimer measurements should be further studied to monitor antithrombotic therapy effectiveness in both cardiogenic and cryptogenic etiologies. CONCLUSION: Accumulating data suggests the utility of D-dimer test in the management of ischemic stroke, although the evidence is still limited. Future studies would clarify the role of D-dimer measurement in ischemic stroke.