An abnormal d-dimer test result indicated that anticoagulation should be continued

摘要

Patients with unprovoked VTE represent a difficult clinical problem.nThe optimum duration of oral anticoagulation for such patients remainsncontroversial because the risk–benefit ratio of ongoing oral therapy isndisputed. Current research therefore focuses on risk factors that predictnrecurrent VTE; identifying such risk factors might suggest populationsnin whom anticoagulation should be continued. The study by Palaretinand colleagues provides evidence in this regard: Patients with an elevatednD-dimer level 1 month after stopping anticoagulation had a higher risknfor recurrent VTE than did patients who restarted the therapy at 1nmonth. Patients with a normal D-dimer assay result and patients whonrestarted anticoagulation in the setting of an abnormal D-dimer levelnhad similar rates of recurrent VTE.