Anti-Xa Assays and Plasmapheresis

From Joni Noges at Virginia Mason Medical Center: Hi George, our pharmacy is wondering whether anti-Xa levels are affected by plasmapheresis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), or hemodialysis. For example, should we draw levels 30–60 minutes after the procedures? Thanks. Hi, Joni, I forwarded your question to Lawrence “Lance” A. Williams, II, MD, who manages […]

Comments (1)

Anticoagulant Therapy

Jun 7 2016

george

Correcting for Hypothermia

From Carla Purvis, MT (ASCP) SH, Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne: Hi, George. We have acute care clinicians requesting temperature correction for prothrombin time results for patients who have clinically induced hypothermia. CAP standards state prothrombin times must be performed at 37C. Do you have any references for performing temperature corrections? Thanks. Hi, […]

Bleeding Disorders

New Quick Question: Bethesda Titers

Please review and vote on our May, 2016 Quick Question, “How does your laboratory measure factor inhibitors?” in preparation for our Thursday, June 2 Webinar described below. George will report on your Quick Question findings. If none of the answers reflect your policy, please add a comment to this entry. Please join Precision BioLogic Inc, […]

Bleeding Disorders

PT and PTT Reference Interval

Here are the results of our latest Quick Question: How many normal subject specimens do you collect to establish a PT and PTT reference interval? a. 240: 7 votes, 3% b. 120: 79 votes, 35% c. 30: 51 votes, 23% d. 20: 79 votes, 35% e. Other: 9 votes, 4% Comments excerpted from Fritsma GA. […]

Comments (0)

Quick Question Archive

May 27 2016

george

Does the “Buzzy” Affect the INR?

This is from George’s friend and colleague, Dennis Ernst, of the Center for Phlebotomy Education: A good friend of mine is a pediatric emergency physician, needle-pain expert, and entrepreneur. Dr. Amy Baxter has developed a device you may have already heard of. It’s called the Buzzy. (She was my newsletter’s Mover & Shaker in March.) […]

Comments (0)

Anticoagulant Therapy

May 22 2016

george

Lupus Anticoagulant Testing: June 6

On Jun 6, Stago presents a PACE-accredited webinar, Lupus Anticoagulant, Choosing the Right Testing Strategy for Your Laboratory by Dr. Oksana Volod, associate professor of pathology and director of coagulation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. Dr Volod’s presentation is intended to dovetail with the Anti-phospholiipid Sociey’s antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) awareness month. Dr. […]

Events

Heparin Monitoring Seminar May 23

Heparin Monitoring—Here to Stay! Presented by Dr James B Groce III To commemorate the centennial of the discovery of heparin, Dr Groce presents a webinar focused on therapeutic use of unfractionated (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Dr Groce will also present information about the benefits of anti-Xa based monitoring of UFH and LMWH. […]

Events

More on Validations Using Commercial Plasmas

John Olson, MD, provides his position on the use of commercial plasmas for lot-to-lot validations (rollover) and for establishing reference intervals. Though associated with CAP, Dr. Olson’s opinion does not necessarily reflect the official CAP policy. “I would not have difficulty with a laboratory using commercial sets for determining reference interval. By far the best […]

Validation

More on Mixing Studies

Here is additional information on mixing studies provided by John Olson, MD, who is a “seasoned” CAP inspector. Dr. Olson cautions that he is not speaking for CAP, but providing his expert opinion. He cites CAP HEM.37991, Mixing Studies Procedure: When plasma-mixing studies are performed, an appropriate pooled plasma is utilized. NOTE: It is not […]

Mixing Studies

More on Xarelto and D-dimer

Dr. Jeanine Walenga, Clinical Coagulation Laboratory Director at Loyola University Medical Center added a helpful comment to our April 13, 2016 discussion about Xarelto and D-dimer. Click here to see the discussion and her comment.

Comments (0)

Anticoagulant Therapy

All Posts

Anti-Xa Assays and Plasmapheresis

Correcting for Hypothermia

New Quick Question: Bethesda Titers

PT and PTT Reference Interval

Does the “Buzzy” Affect the INR?

Lupus Anticoagulant Testing: June 6

Heparin Monitoring Seminar May 23

More on Validations Using Commercial Plasmas

More on Mixing Studies

More on Xarelto and D-dimer

George Fritsma MS MLS

Cheat Sheets from George

Questions or Comments?

Quick Question