A Negative D-dimer Excludes Recurrent Deep Vein Thrombosis: Results of a Multicentre Management Study.

The high frequency of residual radiologic abnormalities after initial deep vein thrombosis (DVT) makes management of patients with suspected recurrence difficult. D-dimer (DD) and serial compression ultrasonography (CUS) of the proximal veins have a high sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) in suspected first DVT. We hypothesized that it would be safe to withhold anticoagulation in patients with suspected recurrence who had a negative sensitive DD or negative serial CUS when DD testing was positive. In a multicentre prospective cohort study, patients underwent DD testing with an immunoturbidometric assay (MDA DD). If the DD was negative (