Grand, François <br/><br/>
Point-of-care testing for D-dimer in the exclusion of venous thromboembolism: A critical analysis 

 -  2023.<br/>							 
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<br/><br/> Point-of-care testing (POCT) for D-dimer is an alternative to ­laboratory testing for the exclusion of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This critical review by the “extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and point-of-care testing” working group of the Société Française de Thrombose et d’Hémostase (French Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis) aims to present the characteristics of six POCT D-dimer assays available in France in 2023. The article highlights the need to define VTE ­exclusion cutoffs specific to each technique and validated by clinical studies. There is insufficient data to validate the use of cutoffs suggested by manufacturers and age-adjusted thresholds. The article discusses the role of laboratories in justifying and prescribing POCT for D-dimer, according to objective criteria, such as the availability and turnaround time of classical laboratory tests. Rational prescribing should also be encouraged, limited to patients with a low risk of VTE, following an assessment of clinical probability according to national and international guidelines.