Fibrinolysis and the Influence of Tranexamic Acid Dosing in Cardiac Surgery

D-DIMERS are degradation products resulting from plasmin-induced clot lysis.1 They can indicate a thrombotic or hemorrhagic status. In patients with increased fibrinolysis as a result of thrombus formation, elevated D-dimer levels give a prothrombotic signal, reflecting activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis.2 In contrast, elevated D-dimer levels resulting from hyperfibrinolysis are indicative of a hemorrhagic risk.3 Elevated D-dimer levels also can imply coexisting thrombotic and hemorrhagic propensity, such as in disseminated intravascular coagulation4 or in atrial fibrillation with anticoagulative treatment.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research