Whole-blood immunoassay (SimpliRED) versus plasma immunoassay (NycoCard) for the diagnosis of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.

Background: The level of D-dimer in the blood reflects the level of lysed, cross-linked fibrin, and is a useful diagnostic marker in patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this study, two assays for the measurement of D-dimer levels were compared: the new, whole-blood immunoassay, SimpliRED, which can be performed at the patient's bedside in two minutes; and the plasma immunoassay, NycoCard.

Patients And Methods: D-dimer levels were determined using these two techniques in 108 patients with clinically suspected DVT.