Anticoagulant Therapy

Xarelto Sales Decline

Bayer said Wednesday 3-4-26 that it expects the erosion of Xarelto sales to “slightly accelerate” this year as the oral anticoagulant faces further competition from generics. Revenue from the product is forecast to fall by between 35% and 40% in 2026, compared to a roughly 33% decline last year to €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion). The company […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Bleeding and Thrombosis in Chronic Kidney Disease

Click this open-access article on the adverse outcomes of anticoagulation in chronic kidney disease: Jones A, Swan D, Lisman T, Barnes GD, Thachil J. Anticoagulation in chronic kidney disease: current status and future perspectives. J Thromb Haemost. 2024;22:323–36. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.09.020. PMID: 37778512. Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being diagnosed increasingly worldwide. It is often […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

March 2026 QQ: LAC Testing When the Patient is on DOAC

Our March 2026 Quick Question is a poll that asks, “How do you test for LAC when the patient is on a DOAC?” This question arises from the discussion in our 2-19-26 post, “CAP Today: Hemostasis Testing While on DOACs.” Often, the provider requests LAC testing for a thrombosis patient on anticoagulation. While the anticoagulant […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

February 2026 QQ Results: DOAC Names

Our February 2026 Quick Question was a quiz that drew 42 responses. The stem asked, “Which DOAC is a direct thrombin inhibitor?” Your answers: Apixaban: 9 (21%) Betrixaban: 0 Dabigatran: 32 (76%) Edoxaban: 0 Rivaroxaban: 1 (3%) We performed well on this question. No one chose betrixaban, an FXa-directed oral anticoagulant that was withdrawn in […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Diagnostic Equity Question: INR is 3.9

This question appeared 2-24-26 on the Diagnostic Equity website: “I’m on warfarin for atrial fibrillation, and my INR today is 3.9. The target range is 2.0–3.0. I haven’t changed my diet or missed any doses. What factors could cause my INR to drift this high unexpectedly, and when does an elevated INR become an emergency?” […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

CAP Today: Hemostasis Testing While on DOACs

This open-access January 26 CAP Today document features the opinions of several experts as they address the limitations of coagulation testing in patients taking DOACs, such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban, and speculates on the coagulation effects of the upcoming anti-XI antithrombotics: Direct Oral Anticoagulants–New Guidance, Lab Testing.

Anticoagulant Therapy

A History of Russell Viper Venom

Here’s an amusing history of RVV and Dr. Russell, who named the venom. You may retrieve the article from your medical library. Thachil J. Russell viper venom: a journey from the bedside to the bench and back to the bedside. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2024;50:115-118. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1771269. PMID: 37506733. Abstract Russell Viper Venom (RVV) is widely […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

What is the MRX PT DOAC Assay?

Thanks to Ali Sadeghi-Khomami, PhD, Precision BioLogic Inc., for a heads-up describing the MRX PT DOAC assay, offered by Nordic Biomarker, Umeå and Linköping, Sweden. For details about the assay, obtain this article from your medical library: Salter B, Moffat K, Carlino S, et al. Evaluation of the MRX PT DOAC assay for detection of clinically […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

February 2026 QQ: DOACs

Our February 2026 Quick Question is a quiz that asks, “Which DOAC is a direct thrombin inhibitor?” Since 2010, DOACs have become our primary antithrombotic agents prescribed for prophylaxis or therapy. While more DOACs are on the horizon, the current anticoagulants directly inhibit either thrombin or FXa. Please make your selection in the right-hand column […]

Quick Question Archive

World Thrombosis Day Article: Renal Vein Thrombosis

Click here for a World Thrombosis Day article about Renal Vein Thrombosis. Introduction Renal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that occurs in the veins draining blood from the kidneys. A blood clot in the renal vein will impact kidney function because it slows the flow of blood from the kidney and can reduce the […]

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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