Abstract
Soluble fibrin (SF) indicates enhanced coagulation, and SF level has been attracting attention as a molecular marker of the coagulation system to predict thrombosis and a prethrombotic state. We investigated the usefulness of SF level for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and judgment of the therapeutic effects. SF and the D-dimer were measured in 53 residual samples of citrated plasma collected within one day before or after ultrasonography of lower limb veins, and their associations with ultrasonography findings were investigated. The negative predictive value of the D-dimer for DVT was 100%, showing its usefulness for diagnosis by exclusion. On the other hand, the positive predictive value of SF for a fresh thrombus was 90% or higher, suggesting that the acute phase of DVT is sensitively detected. The investigation of clinical cases from the viewpoint of thrombus recurrence and organization indicated that the SF level rapidly decreased with the improvement of hypercoagulability, suggesting the clinical usefulness of SF level for judging therapeutic effects.
