7 min

D-dimer: Common Assay, Challenges Abound, Caution Advised JALM Talk Podcast

    • Medicine

Venous thromboembolism, or VTE, is a serious medical condition characterized by a blood clot in a vein, also known as deep vein thrombosis. If the clot breaks free from the vein, it can cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism by blocking blood supply to the lungs. Over 100,000 Americans may die from VTE per year. If recognized quickly, VTE may be effectively treated with anticoagulant therapy; however, it can be difficult to detect when VTE is occurring and when treatment is warranted, thus the clinical laboratory plays an important role in performing diagnostic tests for VTE.

Venous thromboembolism, or VTE, is a serious medical condition characterized by a blood clot in a vein, also known as deep vein thrombosis. If the clot breaks free from the vein, it can cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism by blocking blood supply to the lungs. Over 100,000 Americans may die from VTE per year. If recognized quickly, VTE may be effectively treated with anticoagulant therapy; however, it can be difficult to detect when VTE is occurring and when treatment is warranted, thus the clinical laboratory plays an important role in performing diagnostic tests for VTE.

7 min