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Dr. Olson on the D-dimer VTE Threshold

Here is a response from Dr. John Olson differentiating the D-dimer reference interval from the venous thromboembolism (VTE) exclusion threshold. Dr. Olson responded to my question sent last week, excerpted here: Dr. Olson, I hope all is well with you. I am having trouble answering Kim Kinney’s question, and it brings me back to your D-dimer post […]

Akers PIFA Rapid HIT Test

Here is a message from Marianne Paradiso: I recently evaluated Akers’ PIFA heparin/PF4 rapid assay. Currently the HIT test is a send out at our institution. I am curious if others have had a good correlation between this assay and standard ELISA methods. We understand that all positive assays must be confirmed with the ELISA method. […]

Liquid Coagulation Controls

From Richard Davis of Thermo Fisher, Inc. Are you aware of any liquid stable coagulation controls? I understand Precision BioLogic has frozen controls, but one of our sales reps has been asked about liquid 2-8C stable materials. Hi, Richard. I didn’t know of any liquid controls for coagulation and I double-checked with Stephen Duff of Precision […]

ACT using Response RxDx System

Here is a question from new member Patricia Doleski: I oversee the activated clotting time (ACT) program at two hospitals that use the Response RxDx System. One has no problem reaching the calculated heparin target (480s). They are using 5,000-unit heparin preparations. The second hospital is having a problem using the RxDx calculation on […]

Bleeding Time Test

A note about the bleeding time test from Col. Lucia More at Elmendorf AFB: Hi George! In my continuing quest to try to bring AF labs into the 21st century I’m proposing we eliminate bleeding times in AF labs and stop teaching the test in our lab tech training program. Col More continues… In order […]

US News Report on Aspirin, October 29

Thanks to Fritsma Factor supporter Margaret G. Fritsma, MA MT (ASCP) SBB for spotting this US News and World Report article, Twelve Things You Should Know About Aspirin. The article makes aspirin appear to be more of a wonder drug than we originally thought, but also increases awareness of our need to monitor aspirin efficacy. Geo

SELECT Trial Terminated Early

This has nothing to do with hemostasis, but I take an interest because I’ve been a SELECT trial subject for six years. The trial intended to establish a prostate cancer protective effect by vitamin E, selenium, or both. It turns out there is no protective effect and a slight chance vitamin E is actually associated […]

Hematology Times: ITP

There is a current lecture on immune thrombocytopenic purpura treatment on the Hematology Times web site, called Solving Platelet Dysfunctions and Deficiencies in the Era of Thrombopoietin-stimulating Agents. You have to register to access Hematology Times, but it is free. Geo

Quick Question: Why all the PTTs?

Here is a note I posted 11/16/07 under the heading, “Why All the PTTs?” It seems that many North American institutions are moving more and more to the use of low molecular weight heparin (mostly Lovenox in the US) and pentasaccharide (Fondaparinux, Arixtra) in place of standard unfractionated heparin. Yet, the lab volume of partial […]

How to Manage Centrifuged Specimens

Here is another great question from Kim Kinney at Clarian in Indianapolis: Hi, George. Thank you for getting Dr. Olson’s D-dimer response, it was very helpful. But here is another dilemma of ours! I was reviewing the slides from Dr. Adcock’s ASCP audio conference today on coagulation pre-analytical variables and came across the requirements for […]

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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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