Role of NycoCard D-Dimer test in Prevention of Thrombotic Catastrophes in asymptomatic healthy individuals serving at High Altitude

Ajay Dheer; VK Mehta

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2018

Role of NycoCard D-Dimer test in Prevention of Thrombotic Catastrophes in asymptomatic healthy individuals serving at High Altitude

Ajay Dheer, Vk Mehta

Abstract :

The personnel serving in high altitude environment are at definite risk in suffering catastrophic thromboembolic events due to being in hypercoagulable state for prolonged periods. The various presentations of thrombosis include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary thrombo–embolism (PTE), portal/splenic vein thrombosis, cereal venous thrombosis, etc. Early diagnosis of thrombosis minimizes the risk of thrombo–embolic complications, reduces the morbidity, mortality and averts the exposure of patients without thrombosis to the risks of anticoagulant therapy. There are no tools presently available to screen populations staying in high altitude with possible high risk of such complications. D–dimer test is considered as one of the possible tests for such screening. The D–dimer test by NycoCard D–dimer Single test on NycoCard Reader II was selected based on its high sensitivity of detecting D–dimer and being routinely used in the military hospital. Moreover, it could be conveniently done in a field setting. The tests were conducted in situ as per the procedure by trained lab technician.