Pathologists’ Corner

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is the major cause of death and disability worldwide with an increasing incidence. The risk of death is highest within the first few hours of AMI onset. Rapid identification of AMI is critical for the initiation of medical treatment and management. 

Lipoprotein (a) also referred to as Lp (a) is structurally similar to LDL- C with the exception of the presence of apolipoprotein (a) or apo (a) moiety attached to its apo B component1. Apo(a) shares homology with the fibrin binding domain of plasminogen leading to impaired conversion to its active form plasmin. 

D dimer has been in use for almost three decades, as a screening tool for Venous thromboembolism (VTE)¹. It is one of many Fibrin degradation products (FDP) produced after a clot is degraded by the process of fibrinolysis. FDPs come in a variety of molecular weights.