Anticoagulant Therapy

CoaguCheck Test Strip Recall Part 2

Here is a December 20, 2018 FDA announcement describing a recall of CoaguCheck test strips distirbuted in the US. The lot of test strips, calibrated to the latest INR reference materials, may return erroneously high INR results that could affect Coumadin dosing. This is the second recall of CoaguCheck test strips, the first recall was […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

2018 ASH VTE Rx Guidelines

As you have noted from our Conference Calendar, the American Society for Hematology annual meeting begins today in San Diego, CA, USA. Foremost in the hemostasis world, ASH today published a series of thoroughly researched and provocative VTE prophylasis and treatment guidelines, which the organization is making available online free of charge. Their offering will […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

CoaguCheck Test Strip Recall

Thanks to Ali Sadeghi-Khomami PhD, Precision BioLogic, and Joan Polancic, MS MLS, Denver Health, for the heads-up on this announcemment: Roche Diagnostics, the manufacturer of CoaguChek meters and test strips, is recalling the CoaguChek XS PT Test Strips due to inaccurate INR test results, when compared to laboratory results. Roche re-calibrated the CoaguChek XS PT […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

R-T Estimation of the INR

Despite the onslaught of direct oral anticoagulants, Coumadin still occupies an important place in anticoagulation. Most facilities employ POC instruments that rapidly generate the PT/INR, and most choose to confirm all INRs that exceed 4.0 by collecting venous blood and performing a plasma-based PT/INR. A 2016 report describes the R-T estimation formula designed to correlate […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

August, 2018 Quick Question

Here are the results of our August, 2018 Quick Question, answered by 93 participants:. Stem: What is the FDA-approved assay for anti-Xa DOACs? a. Thrombin time: 12% (11) b. Prothrombin time: 8% (7) c. Partial thromboplastin time: 8% (7) d. Chromogenic anti-Xa using DOAC calibrators: 72% (68) This was perhaps a “trick” question. The US […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

DOAC Measurement: CAP Today, July, 2018

If you are having any trouble with our August Quick Question on measuring DOACs, see Dr. Dorothy M. Adcock’s article, Direct Oral Anticoagulants (click or tap) in the July, 2018 issue of CAP Today.

Anticoagulant Therapy

Quick Question: DOAC Measurement

Please take a look at our August, 2018 Quick Question, “What is the FDA-approved assay for anti-Xa DOACs?” This month’s question is a quiz question with one correct answer, and not a survey. Please make your selection, responses are anonymous.

Anticoagulant Therapy

Left Atrial Appendage Closure

In response to a case-based question, has anyone seen data comparing the efficacy and safety of the left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device Watchman with any DOAC in reducing risk of ischemic stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation?

Anticoagulant Therapy

Case Study: A Patient on Xarelto with Elevated D-dimer Results

In 2016, Dr. Louann Lawrence, New Orleans, communicated with a patient who had experienced a DVT and PE in 2014 and was being treated with Xarelto (rivaroxaban). The patient’s physician routinely ordered a D-dimer to assess the risk of a recurrence after discontinuing anticoagulant therapy. Following the physician’s instructions, the patient discontinues Xarelto for 24 […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

D-dimer Reference Range

Paul Smith writes, “I have a family member on Xarelto and his D-dimer reference range was 450 while taking Xarelto. What is the reference range? Hello, Mr. Smith, and thank you for your question. There is some mild confusion about the D-dimer reference intervals (reference ranges) because several distributors use varient methods. These methods result […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

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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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