D-dimer levels in combination with residual venous obstruction and the risk of recurrence after anticoagulation withdrawal for a first idiopathic deep vein thrombosis

Thromb Haemost. 2005 Nov;94(5):969-74. doi: 10.1160/TH05-02-0095.

Abstract

We assessed the predictive value of D-dimer levels in combination with residual venous obstruction (RVO) for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a prospective cohort of outpatients after oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) suspension for a first episode of idiopathic proximal deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs during a 2-year follow-up. Patients (n=400) were enrolled on the day of OAT suspension when RVO was determined by compression ultrasonography (present in 48.6% of patients). D-dimer (cut-off value: 500 ng/mL) was measured 30+/-10 days afterwards (abnormal in 56.4% of patients). The overall recurrence rate was 16.7% (67/400; 95% confidence intervals - CI -: 13-21 %). The multivariate hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence was 3.32 (95% CI: 1.78-6.75; p<0.0001) for abnormal D-dimer compared to normal D-dimer and 1.2 (95% CI:0.72-2.07; p>0.05) for RVO compared to absent RVO. The recurrence rate was 5.7% (95% CI:2-13%) and 10.4% (95% CI:6-18%), respectively, for normal D-dimer either without or with RVO, 22.9% (95% CI: 14-33%) and 25.9% (95% CI: 18-35%), respectively, for abnormal D-dimer, either without or with RVO. When compared with normal D-dimer without RVO, the multivariate HR for recurrence was similar for abnormal D-dimer either with RVO (4.76 - 95% CI:1.78-12.8) or without RVO (4.3-95%:1.56-11.88). Abnormal D-dimer at one month after OAT withdrawal is an independent risk factor for recurrent VTE, while RVO at the time of OAT withdrawal, either with normal or abnormal D-dimer after one month, does not influence the risk of recurrence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Biomarkers
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / metabolism*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Thrombophilia / blood
  • Thrombophilia / drug therapy
  • Thrombophilia / epidemiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / blood*
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thrombosis / epidemiology
  • Vitamin K / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Biomarkers
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • fibrin fragment D
  • Vitamin K