Fibrinogen degradation products
(FDPs)

Are fragments released following plasmin-mediated degradation of fibrinogen or fibrin.The d-dimer is a specific fragment formed only upon degradation of cross-linked fibrin.

- Sample type:

Plasma, Container. Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube.

- Uses:

Commonly used to aid in the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

- Precautions:

a) Some drugs like warfarin and other oral anticoagulants decrease the value.

b) Avoid the excessive agitation of the blood.

c) Avoid prolonged use of a tourniquet.

d) Some of the drugs may affect and increase the level of FDPs like .heparin was given to treat the blood clots.

- Interfering factors:

• Increased FDP Level Is Seen In:

• Myocardial infarction.

• Heart or vascular surgery.

• Thrombosis.

• Pulmonary embolism.

• Thrombolytic or defibrination therapy.

• Primary and secondary fibrinolysis.

• In the case of DIC.

• Pregnancy

• Decreased FDP Value Seen In: Anticoagulant therapy.

- Pre analytical errors:

i. Sample collection

ii. Needle size,

iii. Collection tubes

iv. Sample delivery to the laboratory

v. Temperature

vi. Sample processing (e.g. centrifugation, hemolysis samples).

- Corrective action:

vii. It is done in the serum.

viii. Collect 2 ml blood in a test tube containing Thrombin, soybean, and Trypsin inhibitor.

ix. Allow to clot at 37 °C for 30 min

x. Keep in mind that drugs like barbiturates, streptokinase, urokinase, and heparin may increase the Test validation

- Post analytical errors:

• Reference intervals for test interpretation

• Critical results reporting