What does an elevated concentration of D-dimer indicate?

An elevated concentration of D-dimer is indicative of recent or ongoing intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis. D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product that is formed when a blood clot is dissolved in the body. When there is abnormal clot formation, such as in conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), the body breaks down these clots, leading to an increase in D-dimer levels in the bloodstream.

Thus, clinicians often measure D-dimer to assess the possibility of thromboembolic disorders. The presence of an elevated D-dimer level alone does not confirm a diagnosis but typically prompts further investigations to determine the underlying cause of the coagulation process. Other options listed do not have a direct correlation with elevated D-dimer levels and reflect completely different medical scenarios.