October 2020 Quick Question: Inflammatory Marker Results

Our October, 2020 Quick Question was, “What inflammation assay does your lab use to assess SARS-CoV-2 progression?” The question attracted 223 votes, a record turnout, but the answers were phrased in a way that directed us to a single answer! Here are the results: CRP: 7% [16] ESR: 0% Ferritin: 1% [2] IL-6: 3% [7] […]

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Quick Question Archive

Oct 28 2020

george

Covid-Coag Controversies 10-18-20 Video

Click here to watch George Fritsma’s 50-minute presentation, COVID-Coag; Controversies and Confusion. This is a follow-up to our September 15 presentation featuring Dr. Andrew Goodwin, and was provided as part of the Imtermountain States Seminar annual meeting in virtual format. Special thanks to Holly Weinberg for her invitation and for coordinating the event.

Events

Factor IX Assay Unexpected Results

Mike Meyer asks, “we run three dilutions for all of our factor testing. Occasionally, we see results in which upon higher dilutions, the factor value decreases after adjusting for the dilution. For instance, I had a case today in which the FIX values were 0.64, 0.55, and 0.43 U/mL for the 1:10, 1:20, and 1:40 […]

Bleeding Disorders

Warfarin and Cannabis

Thanks to hemostasis expert and colleague Dave McGlasson for a recent phone discussion on the effects of marijuana on warfarin therapy [disclaimer: no personal experience]. A literature search turned up several studies and meta-analyses associating THC with markedly raised INR, implying an effect on the cytochrome oxidase pathway. Click review article Damkier P, Lawwen D, […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Oct 15 2020

george

In vitro detection and removal of DOACs from patient plasma specimens

Announcing a 9-30-20 open access publication [forgive the self-reference]: McGlasson DL, Fritsma, GA. In vitro detection and removal of direct oral anticoagulants from patient plasma specimens. Annals of Blood 2020:doi: 10.21037/aob-20-16. We describe a urine DOAC Dipstick and several competing “filter” devices that remove DOACs from plasma, enabling the operator to perform clot-based [PT and […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Oct 15 2020

george

Covid-Coag Controversies 10-18-20

On Sunday, October 18, 4:30–5:30 CDT, George presents a webinar entitled Covid-coag: Controversies and Confusion. Click here for the presentation handout. This webinar is presented as part of the ASCLS Intermountain States Seminar, and is a follow-on to our September 15, 2020 webinar conversation with Dr. Andrew Goodwin.

Events

World Thrombosis Day 8-13-20

As we do every year, we observe World Thrombosis Day [click] on October 13, tnext Tuesday. October 13 is the birthday of Rudolf Virchow who developed the concept of “thrombosis” and advanced our understanding of this condition. Click to read of the many worldwide educational events centered on thrombosis.

Events

Intermountain States Seminar 10-18-20

The Intermountain States Seminar [IMSS, click] has assembled each fall in Jackson, Wyoming, but this year it is a virtual event planned for Sunday, October 18–Tuesday, October 20. George presents, “Covid-associated Coagulopathy: Controversies and Confusion” on Sunday, October 18, 3:30–4:30 Mountain Time. The topic is an expansion of our September 15, 2020 webinar, a dialogue […]

Events

Apixaban Assay Approved

On 9-22-20, Instrumentation Laboratory, A Werfen Company, received US FDA de novo approval for their automated chromogenic HemosIL® Liquid Anti-Xa test kit to measure apixaban [Eliquis]. Click here for IL‘s press release.

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Oct 1 2020

george

October 2020 Quick Question: Inflammation

Our October Quick Question is selected from the many open questions we received during our September 15 webinar. “Covid-Associated Coagulopathy: A Conversation about Controversies and Confusion” [click] featuring Andrew Goodwin, MD, CLIA Medical Director, University of Vermont Medical Center and Laboratory Services and Section Medical Director of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Laboratory. In our Quick […]

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Quick Question Archive

All Posts

October 2020 Quick Question: Inflammatory Marker Results

Covid-Coag Controversies 10-18-20 Video

Factor IX Assay Unexpected Results

Warfarin and Cannabis

In vitro detection and removal of DOACs from patient plasma specimens

Covid-Coag Controversies 10-18-20

World Thrombosis Day 8-13-20

Intermountain States Seminar 10-18-20

Apixaban Assay Approved

October 2020 Quick Question: Inflammation

George Fritsma MS MLS

Cheat Sheets from George

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