D – dimer
D dimer has been in use for almost three decades, as a screening tool for Venous thromboembolism (VTE)¹. It is one of many Fibrin degradation products (FDP) produced after a clot is degraded by the process of fibrinolysis. FDPs come in a variety of molecular weights. However, unlike other FDPs that are formed following degradation of fibrinogen and fibrin, D – dimer is produced exclusively from cross-linked fibrin. D dimer is therefore indicative of clot degradation and not non-specific fibrinolysis2.