# A Retrospective Study of Adult and Pediatric D‐Dimer Tests to Identify Opportunities for Improved Utilization

## TL;DR

This study examines how D-dimer tests are used in children and adults to assess blood clotting issues and finds opportunities to improve their appropriate use.

## Contribution

The study identifies patterns and potential misuses of D-dimer testing in pediatric and adult populations, highlighting the need for better clinical documentation and test utilization.

## Key findings

- D-dimer tests were frequently used for suspected VTE and DIC in both children and adults.
- Many tests were performed without proper documentation of VTE likelihood or DIC scores.
- Patients with multiple tests often showed declining D-dimer levels over time, suggesting possible overuse.

## Abstract

D‐dimers are produced by lysis of cross‐linked fibrin. In children, D‐dimer testing is used to evaluate disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and some inflammatory states, but its use is not validated for screening or ruling out suspected venous thromboembolic events (VTE). In adults, D‐dimers are used to evaluate DIC, and a low D‐dimer level is used to exclude VTE in patients when combined with a low or moderate probability of VTE.

To assess D‐dimer utilization and opportunities for improvement, we conducted a retrospective, consecutive‐case cohort study (with ethics approval) of patients who had D‐dimer tests at Hamilton hospitals, from 06/2022 to 05/2023.

D‐dimer levels were evaluated for 175 children and 200 adults (respective results, children/adults: median ages: 12/63, ranges 0–17/18–94 years), and an overlapping cohort of 99 consecutive persons with ≥ 5 D‐dimer determinations. Most patients had D‐dimer tests in emergency departments (60%/62%) and elevated D‐dimer levels (55%/61%). Reasons for D‐dimer assessment included: suspected VTE (50%/70%), DIC (17%/3.5%), childhood inflammatory conditions (23%/0%), and “off‐label” uses (e.g., arterial thrombosis assessment; 5%/22%). VTE likelihood and DIC scores were rarely documented. Patients with multiple tests accounted for 15% of D‐dimer workload. Among patients with multiple tests for DIC, most had overt DIC on initial assessment, with declining D‐dimer levels over 10–14 days, including patients who died.

VTE and DIC assessment was the most common reason for D‐dimer assessments for children and adults. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to improve relevant clinical VTE and DIC score documentation and D‐dimer test utilization.