A protein fragment produced when fibrin clots are broken down by the body's natural clot-dissolving system. Elevated levels suggest recent clot formation and breakdown, useful for ruling out pulmonary embolism.
Named for its structure as a dimer (two units) of D-domains from fibrin degradation, identified in the 1970s. The 'D' refers to the specific molecular fragment created when plasmin cuts cross-linked fibrin.
D-dimer is like finding sawdust after someone cuts wood - it proves clotting and clot breakdown happened recently! It's so sensitive that it's mainly useful when normal, essentially ruling out dangerous clots with over 95% certainty.
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