Quick Question: PTT Mixing Studies

The results of our January-February 2014 Quick Question: Does your laboratory perform follow-up partial thromboplastin time (PTT) mixing studies 24/7? a. No, only during the day shift, 46 (52%) b. Yes, all day and all night, 30 (34%) c. Not at all, we sent them out, 13, (14%) Total votes: 89 Thanks for the response, […]

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Mixing Studies

Mar 10 2014

george

CPT Code for SCT?

From Molly Klima, University Hospitals of Cleveland: Hi George, we are in the process of bringing up the Instrumentation Laboratory Silica Clotting Time (SCT) assay and are struggling with the CPT code. Since there is no straightforward CPT for the assay our dilemma is as follows: 85730 Thromboplastin time, partial (PTT); plasma or whole blood 85732 Thromboplastin time, partial […]

Thrombophilia

World Thrombosis Day October 13

Thanks to colleague Ali Sadeghi-Khomami PhD for his heads-up announcing theInternational Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis‘ World Thrombosis Day launch. World Thrombosis Day will be held annually on October 13, the birthday of Rudolph Virchow, 1821, who coined the terms embolism and thrombosis. See the ISTH World Thrombosis Day page for details.

Events

Validating a Rapid HIT Assay

Charlie Muller, Helen Hayes Hospital TW, posted a question on the Medlab list, paraphrased here with his permission. He is validating the Akers PIFA Heparin/PF4 rapid assay kit for heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis, and needs a good way to validate it in addition to using Akers’ panels. Charlie’s setting is an acute rehab specialty hospital where a very large […]

Thrombophilia

Pradaxa Monitoring Debate

A February 7, 2014 Heartwire article describes how Boehringer Ingelheim has released internal documents indicating their scientists had debated the need for laboratory monitoring of dabigatran.

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Feb 5 2014

george

Cortisone and Coumadin

From Prof. Jeanne Isabel, Northern Illihois University, a long-time friend and colleague. Hi George, a colleague who works at a cancer center has a patient on hydrocortisone (not sure how much) and her prothrombin time and international normalized ratio (PT/INR) were elevated to 54 s/4.9. she is on Coumadin and last time her INR was in the therapeutic […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Feb 4 2014

george

Platelet Function and Storage

A second great question from our Rutgers graduate hemostasis course participants, this one from Brandy Gunsolus, Healthplex Family Clinic in Shreveport, LA, andJene Shafer from Orange Regional Hospital, Middletown, NY. We are studying the new cell-based model of coagulation and they ask whether the storage lesion of platelet concentrates affects their ability to be activated in vivo upon administration. The cell-based model relies on collagen and […]

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Platelet Function Testing

Feb 3 2014

george

Tube System Effect on Platelets?

From Gnaesh Lyer, Florida Hospital: Have you done any correlation studies for Plavix and aspirin if the tubes are sent by tube system from floors rather than hand delivering the tubes? Does the results vary a lot or with in acceptable range? Thanks. Hello, Gnaesh Lyer, and thank you for your question. I know of no studies […]

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Platelet Function Testing

Jan 28 2014

george

Protein C and S During PE

From Yvonne Ellis, Hematology Technical Supervisor, IU Health Bedford Laboratory: George, I counseled a physician today about ordering protein C and S on a patient who has a confirmed pulmonary embolism. I told him during a clot was not the time to test for these. He did seem to have a good understanding of the workings of […]

Thrombophilia

Discontinuing DOACs and Thrombosis

From Karen Dallas, MD, Saskatoon Health Region: I have searched the internet and cannot find a direct connection between thromboembolism prophylaxis with direct thrombin inhibitors and the induction of a prothrombotic state once discontinued. We have observed a few cases which seem to exhibit this phenomenon at my institution. Can you guide me towards any information on […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

All Posts

Quick Question: PTT Mixing Studies

CPT Code for SCT?

World Thrombosis Day October 13

Validating a Rapid HIT Assay

Pradaxa Monitoring Debate

Cortisone and Coumadin

Platelet Function and Storage

Tube System Effect on Platelets?

Protein C and S During PE

Discontinuing DOACs and Thrombosis

George Fritsma MS MLS

Cheat Sheets from George

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Quick Question