D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin complexes and compression ultrasound in diagnosis of DVT during pregnancy

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to determine whether the fibrinolysis marker [D-dimer] as well as the coagulation activation maker [thrombin-antithrombin [TAT] complexes] would be of an additional help in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis [DVT] in pregnant women. Eighty pregnant women were chosen and divided into two groups First, study group which comprises 40 pregnant women with DVT in the current pregnancy and second, control group which included 40 healthy pregnant women. The mean values of D-dimer and TAT were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. At a cutoff line 500 ng/ml, D-dimer sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 90.0%, respectively. At a cutoff line 2.2 ug/l, TAT sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 82.8%, respectively. Neither gestational age or parity nor type of DVT showed an effect on mean results of these markers. In conclusion, D-dimer and TAT have reasonable sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of DVT among pregnant women. These sensitivity and specificity are not affected by type of DVT, gestational age or parity