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April 2022 QQ: Measuring Heparin Summary

Hello, our April 2022 Quick Question asks, “How do you measure unfractionated heparin [UFH]?” Our 37 respondents answered… Chromogenic anti-Xa using a hybrid curve: 38% [14] Chromogenic anti-Xa using the UFH curve: 14% [5] Anti-Xa and PTT: 22% [8] PTT: 26% [9] The majority of respondents are using the chromogenic anti-Xa heparin assay, and most […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Clumsy Clinical Communication: ASCLS-DC, DEL, MAR, VA

George provides a virtual presentation, “Clumsy Clinical Communication, Let’s Blame the Lab” on Saturday, April 23, 2–3 EDT, sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Capital-area associations. Click here to register and link; ASCLS-DE, ASCLS-MD, ASCLS-VA, and ASCLS-CAS(DC). Here are the handouts for George’s presentation in one-per-page form for those who prefer to […]

Laboratory Professionals Week

We belatedly acknowledge the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science/Societe Canadienne de Science de Laboratoire Medical National Medical Laboratory Week, which just ended, 10–16 April, and announce the upcoming Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 24–30.

ASCLS-IN 4-9-22 Presentation Handouts

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, 9:15 AM CT, George presents “Clumsy Clinical Communication, Let’s Blame the Lab” for the ASCLS ASCLS-IN / ASCLS-KY 2022 Collaborative Laboratory Conference in Vincennes, Indiana. We’ve attached the presentation handouts in one-per-page form for those who wish to follow on their tablet and six-per-page for those who prefer to print. […]

PBI: Business of the Year

Congratulations to our sponsor, Precision BioLogic Inc. for earning the Halifax Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business of the Year Award. Richly deserved!

April 2022 QQ: Measuring Heparin

Our April 2022 Quick Question reprises our May 16, 2012 post, “Who Uses the Hybrid Curve?” but adds a twist based on May JE, Siniard RD, Taylor LJ, Marques MB, Gangaraju R. From activated partial thromboplastin time to anti-factor Xa and back again; the evolution of monitoring unfractionated heparin. Am J Clin Pathol 2022;157:321–7 HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1093/AJCP/AQAB135. […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

March 2022 Quick Question Summary

The stem of our March 2022 Quick Question was, “How do you measure the anti-Xa DOACs rivaroxaban or apixaban?” The question drew 33 responses and here are the answer selections: We don’t measure the anti-Xa DOACs: 24% [8] Chromogenic anti-Xa using DOAC-specific calibrators and controls: 64% [21] Chromogenic anti-Xa using the unfractionated heparin curve: 3% […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

March 2022 Cheat Sheet

Our March 2022 Cheat Sheet is linked. If you’d like to receive the Cheat Sheet in your mailbox, please send your email address to [email protected] and we will add you to our distribution list.

March 2022 Quick Question: Measuring Anti-Xa DOACs

Please review and answer our March 2022 Quick Question, submitted by colleague and coagulation expert Dave McGlasson. Although the US FDA has never approved the chromogenic anti-Xa assay for the direct oral anticoagulants rivaroxaban and apixaban, calibrators and controls are available from several distributors. Many facilities are called upon to assay for plasma concentration in […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

February, 2022 QQ Response: Platelet Aggs

Thanks to our 57 FF participants for your responses to our February 2022 Quick Question. The question stem was: “What single agonist is your first choice to measure platelet response to aspirin?” ADP: 14% [8] TRAP: 2% [1] Collagen: 2% [1] Epinephrine: 28% [16] Arachidonic acid: 54% [31] Although this question is a poll, my […]

Arterial Thrombosis

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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.

Cheat Sheets from George

Quick Question