All Posts

Chromogenic Factor IX Assay

Click here to see the Precision BioLogic research team’s latest poster, Quinton T, Clarke R, Fraser J, Black KM, Sadeghi-Khomami A. Validation of a New Kit for the Quantitative Determination of Chromogenic Factor IX Activity. This poster was presented at the July 17–21 ISTH meeting.

Bleeding Disorders

Additional Source for Blue-closure Tubes

Here is a July 22, 2021 FDA announcement indicating an emergency use authorization for BD Vacutainer blue-closure tubes sourced from the UK. Thanks to Elaine Benoit, Precision BioLogic Inc., for drawing our attention to the announcement. The FDA is attempting to address the blue-closure tube shortage we discussed in prior posts.

Specimen Management

VITT Mechanism Nature Preview

Here is a research article that was rushed to print in the July 7, 2021 Nature that describes the precise pathophysiology of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia [VITT]. VITT is the critical 1/60,000 incidence adverse event associated with the adenoviral vector employed in the Astra-Zeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, among others. VITT resembles heparin-induced thrombocytopenia […]

Platelet Function Testing

More on Platelet Function Testing

From Dave McGlasson: George, Aquino in a recent article in CAP Today titled, “Puzzling out platelet function disorders,” posted July 6 on Fritsma Factor, extolled the virtues of light transmittance aggregometry [LTA] on platelet rich plasma [PRP] as the reference [“gold standard”] method to assess platelet aggregation disorders. This may have been true years ago […]

Platelet Function Testing

Platelet Function Testing

There is a comprehensive summary in the June, 2021 CAP Today by Amy Carpenter Aquino entitled, “Puzzling Out Platelet Function Disorders,” [click] featuring Catherine PM Hayward, MD, PhD, of McMaster University, champion of the time-honored light transmittance aggregometry [LTA} approach to platelet testing.

Bleeding Disorders

July, 2021 Quick Question: Covid Inflammatory Cell

On June 30, 2021, I [Geo] presented “Covid-coag Controversies, What is Immuno-Thrombo-Inflammation” at the Joint Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, the Association of Genetic Technologists, and the Society of Armed Forces Medical Laboratory Scientists in Louisville, Kentucky. My handout for the meeting is attached. In follow-up, our July Quick Question […]

June, 2021 Quick Question: Dabigatran Reversal Agent

Our June, 2021 Quick Question asks, “What is the trademark name of the dabigatran reversal agent?” Here are the answers from our 25 respondents. Andexxa: 0% Bevyxxa: 8% [2] Praxbind: 88% [22] KCentra: 0% Aripazine: 4% [1] No one was stumped by this one, perhaps as we had recently posted a question about Andexxa, which […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

New Fundamentals in Hemostasis

Thanks to my colleague Carlo Ledesma, MS, SH(ASCP)QLS, MT(ASCPi), MT(AMT) for pointing me to an in-depth hemostasis review, Versteeg HH, Heemskerk JWM, Levi M, Reitsma PH. New Fundamentals in Hemostasis. Physiol Rev 2013;93:327–58. This is a valuable teaching resource that helps elucidate the cell-based hemostasis model.

Arterial Thrombosis

Blue-closure Tube Shortage: Another Choice

In follow-up to our June 19 post describing how to make a 3.2% trisodium citrate solution, guru Bob Gosselin ran across Aniara’s ready-made solution [click]. An easier approach than Dr. Favaloro’s manual mix [with apologies]. Thanks, Bob!

Specimen Management

FDA Approves Pradaxa for Children

Thanks to Dean Willett, Precision BioLogic Inc., for today’s heads-up for this FDA announcement [click] approving dabigatran etixalate [Pradaxa®] therapy for children 3 months–12 years who have experienced venous thromboembolic disease.

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