Plasma D-dimer as a biomarker for the early classification of common acute ischemic stroke subtypes in Indonesia

Abstract

Background D-dimer is a well-known marker for abnormal hemostasis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), indicating the presence of fibrin degradation due to thrombus formation and lysis. The diagnostic performance of D-dimer for different AIS types in the Indonesian population has not been established. The aim of this study is to compare the plasma D-dimer levels in three of the most common AIS subtypes in Indonesia; the cardioembolic, large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), and small-vessel occlusion (SVO), and to determine its most optimal diagnostic performance. Results In this cross-sectional study, 64 subjects with confirmed AIS diagnosis at the Wahidin Sudirohusodo General Hospital Makassar between June and October 2019 were recruited. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured and grouped according to the subtype of acute ischemic stroke based on the TOAST classification. A significant difference was observed between the D-dimer levels across the three AIS subtypes, with an average D-dimer of 2.93 ± 1.7, 1.27 ± 0.81, and 0.56 ± 0.46 µg/ml in the cardioembolic, LAA, and SVO subtypes, respectively. As a marker of cardioembolic stroke, an optimal cut-off was determined to be 1.52 µg/ml, yielding a sensitivity of 84.44% (CI 71.22–92.25% and specificity of 84.21% (CI 62.43–94.48%). Conclusion Plasma D-dimer levels varied significantly between the cardioembolic, LAA, and SVO subtypes of AIS, with the highest D-dimer level in the cardioembolic subtypes. As a marker of cardioembolic stroke, an optimal cut-off was determined to be 1.52 µg/mL, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 84.44% and 84.21%, respectively.