d -Dimer Predicts Early Clinical Progression in Ischemic Stroke

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Abstract
Background and Purpose— Plasma d -dimer levels, measured using a research laboratory assay, independently predict progressing ischemic stroke. We wished to confirm these findings using commercially available assays and to provide data to allow the design of intervention studies. Methods— We studied 219 consecutive acute ischemic stroke admissions of whom 54 (25%) met criteria for progressing stroke. Results— There were strong correlations between d -dimer results as measured by the Biopool AB, MDA and VIDAS assays; correlation coefficients r =0.91 to 0.94; all P P Conclusions— Ischemic stroke patients at high risk of early progression can be identified using commercial d -dimer measurements. This could allow selection of high-risk patients for inclusion in randomized trials of early antithrombotic treatments.