Soluble p-selectin, D-dimer, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb.

BACKGROUND

Soluble p-selectin (sP-selectin), D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and may play a role as risk predictors of recurrent venous thromboembolism. However, these parameters have only been assessed at manifestation or at single time points after DVT so far. We therefore investigated the course of sP-selectin, D-dimer, and high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP after acute unprovoked DVT of the lower limb.

METHODS

In this prospective, longitudinal study, sP-selectin, D-dimer, and hs-CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative latex assay, and particle enhanced immunonephelometry, respectively, in 44 patients with sonographically confirmed acute DVT at the time of diagnosis, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months later. sP-selectin and hs-CRP were also measured in 88 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Further, color duplex sonography was performed in all patients at each time point.

RESULTS

At DVT diagnosis, sP-selectin and hs-CRP were significantly higher in patients compared with healthy controls. From baseline to 1 month, both parameters decreased significantly. In patients with oral anticoagulation (OAC) for 6 months (n = 35), levels of sP-selectin increased significantly after cessation of anticoagulant therapy (P = .002), while sP-selectin was similar to healthy controls in patients with ongoing OAC (n = 9) at 12 months (P = .49). In contrast, hs-CRP in both subgroups remained constantly low at levels seen in healthy controls. The course of D-dimer was similar to sP-selectin. Color duplex sonography showed no ongoing thrombus formation in any patient. Thirty-four (77.3%), 29 (65.9%), 26 (59.1%), and 25 (56.8%) patients had residual thrombosis 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the acute event, respectively. D-dimer was significantly higher in patients with residual thrombosis compared with patients without residual thrombosis 1 month after DVT (0.58 μg/mL [range, 0.2-9.67 μg/mL] vs 0.25 μg/mL [range, 0.2-0.62 μg/mL]; P = .02). At all other time points, the levels of D-dimer and sP-selectin did not differ significantly between patients without and with residual thrombosis (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Concentrations of sP-selectin and D-dimer after acute DVT seem to be strongly influenced by treatment with vitamin K antagonists. After withdrawal of oral anticoagulation, they rise again and could therefore reflect a prothrombotic state, which is susceptible to pharmacologic therapy.