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THSNA Now Aug 23–25

The Thrombosis and Hemostasis Summit of North America meeting, originally scheduled for April 23–25 is rescheduled for August 23–25. The location remains the Sheraton Chicago. Thanks to Elaine Benoit, Precision BioLogic Inc. for the update.

Covid Lab Testing

Clotters, sorry to move into the Microbiology world, but it seems appropriate to quote my respected colleague, Rodney Rohde, PhD on Covid-19 testing. “My thoughts on laboratory testing since it’s on everyone’s mind. Please understand, the only true way to know if someone is positive or negative with ANY infection / microbe is to perform […]

ASCLS-Montana Cancels April 9 Meeting

Thanks to Elaine Benoit, Precision Biologic, for the previous ISLH cancellation message and for the following: The ASCLS-MT 2020 spring educational conference will be canceled for this year April 9–11, 2020 in Missoula, MT. In the interests of supporting the national efforts to slow the transmission of COVID-19 we have decided to cancel our annual […]

ISLH Cancels May 21 Meeting

Received today, March 20, 2020: Due to the rapid progression of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and our desire to protect the health, safety and freedom of movement of our attendees, faculty and industry supporters, we have made the difficult, but necessary decision to cancel the in-person ISLH 2020 meeting that was scheduled to take place May 21-23 […]

THSNA Postponed

The 2020 Thrombosis and Hemostasis Summit of North America is postponed to late August in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers hope we are all able to attend in August.

VWD and Aspirin

An acquaintance’s daughter has type 1 von Willebrand disease. Her OB physician recommends a daily baby aspirin during her pregancy. Are there any circumstances in which aspirin is indicated during pregnancy in a woman with VWD? Please provide your opinion in our Comments section below or email to [email protected]. Thank you.

Antiplatelet Therapy

Lupus Anticoagulant Testing

Maureen (Mo) Tacke, St. Luke’s Health System, sent this case. A woman who had experienced one normal fetus loss at longer than 10 weeks’ gestation and one unexplained spontaneous miscarriage at shorter than 10 weeks’ gestation but no additional thrombotic episodes had the following results: Initial: DRVVT ratio: 1.70 (limit 1.20); silica clot time ratio […]

Lupus Anticoagulant

Detecting DOACs in Urine

George has been in touch with long-time colleague and friend, Jeanine Walenga, PhD, Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Walenga collaborates with Dr. Job Harenberg of DOASENSE® in development of the DOAC Dipstick®, a qualitative urine immersion strip that detects a DOAC within ten minutes. A pad for the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and a pad for […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Emicizumab

George had the opportunity to speak with two UAB Hematology-Oncology fellows who work with the Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders service at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. They report that the center’s move to hemophilia A therapy using emicizumab (HEMLIBRA) has significantly changed the lives of hemophiliacs in Alabama. One subcutaneous injection per week (or even every […]

Bleeding Disorders

March 2020 Quick Question

Look to the right for our March, 2020 Quick Question, “How does your facility measure extended half-life factor VIII concentrate therapy?” After you select your answer please add your comments by sending an email to [email protected].

Bleeding Disorders

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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