Key result
High D-dimer linked to ~5-fold higher thromboembolic risk in mechanical heart valve patients.
Why the study?
The optimal anticoagulation level in patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses remains debated, and the relationship between D-dimer levels and anticoagulation or vascular events is unclear.
Do high D-dimer plasma levels predict acute vascular or hemorrhagic events in anticoagulated patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves?
Comparison
High D-dimer plasma levels (upper tertile) vs lower D-dimer plasma levels (lower tertiles)
Design
Cohort study
Follow-up
2 years
Authors
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Elevated D-dimer may stratify thromboembolic risk in mechanical valve patients on anticoagulation; leaves open whether targeting levels improves outcomes.
Cohort (n=244)
Do high D-dimer plasma levels predict acute vascular or hemorrhagic events in anticoagulated patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves?
Relative Risk: 5
D-dimer plasma levels reflect the adequacy of anticoagulation in patients with mechanical heart valves, and elevated levels strongly predict future thromboembolic events.
Giansante et al. (1997) conducted a cohort in Mechanical prosthetic heart valves (n=244). High D-dimer plasma levels vs. Lower D-dimer tertiles was evaluated on Vascular thromboembolic events (5-fold risk). In patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses, being in the upper tertile of D-dimer values was associated with an approximately 5-fold risk of vascular thromboembolic events.
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