Excess D-dimer levels indicate that clots have been

Excess D-dimer levels indicate that clots have been

• A. Converted to fibrin monomers
• B. Released into circulation
• C. Stimulated to activate platelets
• D. Formed and are being excessively lysed

Answer: (D)

D-dimer is a fragment produced when plasmin degrades cross-linked fibrin in a clot. Its presence in the blood shows that a fibrin clot has formed and is being broken down by the fibrinolytic system. Therefore, high D-dimer levels reflect ongoing or recent clot formation with active lysis, which is why this statement is the best description. It’s not produced simply by forming fibrin monomers, nor is it just released without prior clot formation, and it’s not a direct measure of platelet activation. The key idea is that D-dimer indicates both clot formation and subsequent breakdown.

D-dimer is a fragment produced when plasmin degrades cross-linked fibrin in a clot. Its presence in the blood shows that a fibrin clot has formed and is being broken down by the fibrinolytic system. Therefore, high D-dimer levels reflect ongoing or recent clot formation with active lysis, which is why this statement is the best description. It’s not produced simply by forming fibrin monomers, nor is it just released without prior clot formation, and it’s not a direct measure of platelet activation. The key idea is that D-dimer indicates both clot formation and subsequent breakdown.