All Posts

Idarucizumab for Dabigatran Reversal Approved

On Friday, October 16, the FDA approved idarucizumab (Praxbind) as an effective reversal agent for the oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran (Pradaxa). Click here tor the press release. Thanks to Dr. Paul Riley, Stago-US, for this heads-up.

Anticoagulant Therapy

Pediatric Reference Intervals

From Dr. Jasmina Ahluwalia: Dear George, I wonder if you could help me. Is there is a recent reference range available for the pediatric population for the coagulation screening tests, factor assays, protein C, protein S and antithrombin assays on the ACL TOP systems? I did come across one on the STAGO and Sysmex systems […]

Coagulation Factors

Collecting Heparin Assay Specimens from a Device

Dear George Fritsma, I work at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood N.J. and our nursing staff has the following question about drawing an APTT from a central line/picc line when heparin is infusing. Is there a protocol of how long to stop the infusion? Also, should the first syringe be discarded? I am interested in knowing […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Shortened PTT

Hendrik Orman asks, “We are seeing more low aPPT results (less then 20) from ER, same with the redraw. Today, we gad 18.9 with repeat 15.3. Is there anything like medication etc. that might cause this?” Thanks. Hello, Hendrik, and thank you for your question. I’ll refer you to a recent series of posts and […]

Global Hemostasis Assays

Dr. R. Besser Twitter Chat Oct 20

Dear World Thrombosis Day partners and sponsors, The World Thrombosis Day campaign and ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser will host a LIVE Twitter Chat devoted to venous thromboembolism (VTE) on Tuesday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The topic is particularly relevant in October for the recognition of World Thrombosis […]

USE DDAVP for Plavix Overdose

George is teaching a graduate hemostasis course for Michigan State University. In a chat room today, a participant asked if DDAVP may be used to reverse bleeding in a patient with a Plavix overdose. One of our students is a 15-year Hem-Onc who said this was an accepted ER approach. Does your facility also use […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Northeast Laboratory Conference, 10/20–22/15

The Maine and New Hampshire State Society of American Medical Technologists, the Maine Chapter of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science-Maine presents the 2015 Northeast Laboratory Conference, Tuesday, October 20–Thursday, October 22, 3015 at the Holiday Inn By The Bay, Portland, Maine. George presents “Managing Hemophilia, From Rasputin […]

It’s Here: World Thrombosis Day, Tuesday 10-13-15

The annual World Thrombosis Day is Tuesday, October 13, 2015. Please add your WTD event to the website indicating location, time, and if activities are open to the public. A YouTube animated campaign video is available to use at your event and to share online with your network. With several well-known celebrities, join the campaign […]

Platelet Count and POC PT/INR

A participant asks if point of care PT/INR results are affected by the platelet count. George responds that POC PT/INR instrument package inserts list no effects related to thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis. Documented interferences include specimen management errors that result in partial preanalytical clotting, foaming, or hemolysis; hematocrit below 20% or above 55%, presence of coagulopathies […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Heparin Therapeutc Range

From Keith DeHaas, Southwestern Vermont Healthcare: Hi George I am currently enrolled in BLD 835 and am thoroughly enjoying the class. I have a question about sourcing specimens of plasma with unfractionated heparin for use in ex vivo Xa studies. We are a small hospital that does not use much heparin and getting enough heparinized […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Load more

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.

Cheat Sheets from George

Quick Question