A patient is positive for fibrin degradation products and negative for D dimers. Which condition is most likely?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fibrin degradation products are elevated in conditions where there is breakdown of fibrin clots, such as systemic fibrinolysis. D-dimers are elevated in conditions where there is ongoing fibrin formation and breakdown, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The negative D-dimer result rules out DVT and DIC, leaving systemic fibrinolysis as the most likely condition. Hypofibrinogenemia would result in decreased levels of fibrinogen, and would not cause elevated fibrin degradation products.

A Patient Is Positive for Fibrin Degradation Products and Negative