D-Dimer (Latex)

Test ID:

704428

CPT code:

85379

Clinical Use:

This test can be used to exclude VTE with nonhigh pretest probability (ie, low or low/moderate pretest probability). In an exclusion strategy, a D-dimer below the established threshold in a nonhigh pretest probability patient does not require further testing to exclude VTE.

Specimen Type:

Plasma, frozen

Requested Volume:

2 ml

Minimum Volume:

1 ml

Container Type:

Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube

Collection:

The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples. When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge and carefully remove the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Transfer the plasma into a PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap. Plasma samples are stable for eight hours at room temperature. If the sample cannot make it to the laboratory for testing within eight hours, the specimen should be frozen immediately and maintained frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.