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Jun 26 2026
george

July 2026 QQ: VWD Therapeutic

We commemorate the 1926 publication by Finnish physician, Eric von Willebrand, Von Willebrand, E A (1926). “Hereditär pseudohemofili”. Finska Läkaresällskapets Handlingar (in Swedish). 68: 87–112. Dr. von Willebrand’s title, “Hereditary Pseudohemophilia,” was updated to our current name, von Willebrand disease, in the late 1930s, and the responsible protein was named von Willebrand factor in 1971. […]
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Bleeding Disorders
Jul 15 2026
george

Risk of PE in Octogenarians

Here is a provocative open-access case-control article: Lipa AJ, Janata-Schwatczek K, Sterz M, et al. Too old for PESI?: risk stratification of octogenarians with pulmonary embolism in the emergency department. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026. doi: 10.1055/a-2896-8297. PMID: 42361814. Abstract Pulmonary embolism (PE) in octogenarians (i.e., patients >80 years) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, yet […]
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Thrombophilia
Jul 14 2026
george

Review: Laboratory Monitoring and Measuring of Clinical Anticoagulants

Check your medical library for this July, 2026 review: Favaloro EJ, Reardon B, Pasalic L. Laboratory monitoring and measuring of clinical anticoagulants. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026. doi: 10.1055/a-2907-8841. PMID: 42442704. Abstract Haemostasis reflects a balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant forces. A relative excess of procoagulant forces and/or a relative lack of anticoagulant forces can predispose […]
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Anticoagulant Therapy
Jul 13 2026
george

A LAC Assay that Resists DOAC Interference

Click Rahman M, Black KM, Sadeghi-Khomami A; An Automated Lupus Anticoagulant Assay Resistant to Anticoagulant Drugs Including DOACs and Oral FXI Inhibitors for a 2016 ISTH poster that documents an updated LAC assay. Background Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and oral FXI inhibitors interfere with LAC testing by prolonging clotting times and increasing assay variability. Activated charcoal […]
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Anticoagulant Therapy
Jul 6 2026
george

External Quality Assessment for Anti-FXa LMWH Assays

Check with your local medical library for this thought-provoking article: Favaloro EJ, Arunachalam S, Pasalic L. External quality assessment for low molecular weight heparin monitoring in the Australasia/Asia-Pacific region. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026. doi: 10.1055/a-2900-7026. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42398957. Abstract LMWH remains a widely used parenteral anticoagulant in hospital and outpatient settings for […]
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Anticoagulant Therapy
Jul 4 2026
george

Are we Overusing LMWH?

A provocative open-access article posted on LinkedIn by Dr. Emmanuel Favaloro suggesting we are overusing LMWH: Gurumurthy G, Fan B, Gurumurthy J, et al. Should we focus on sustainable thromboprophylaxis and avoid overuse of low-molecular-weight heparins? Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2026; 10. DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2026.106794. Abstract Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have become a near-routine prescription […]
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Anticoagulant Therapy
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George Fritsma MS MLS

George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George  is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, the International Society for Laboratory Hematology, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

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Quick Question

What VWD therapeutic is NOT a replacement factor?