Arterial Thrombosis

VWF: Friend or Foe

I [Geo] will present, “Von Willebrand Factor, Friend or Foe: MA, TTP, aHUS, STEC-HUS, MAHA, PLEX, TIC, ADAMTS13, VWF What Does it All Mean?” for the combined ASCLS-Alaska, -Washington, and -Oregon on Friday, April 21, 1–2 CDT, and again for ASCLS-North Dakota on Friday, April 28, 2–3 CDT. These presentations are virtual. Click here for […]

Spinal Cord Stroke

On February 26, 2023, a Fritsma Factor participant asked about a relative’s diagnosis of spinal cord stroke. Spinal cord stroke is rare, 0.3–1% of all strokes. I’ve attached a review article, Romi F, Naess H. Spinal cord infarction in clinical neurology: a review of characteristics and long-term prognosis in comparison to cerebral infarction. Eur Neurol. […]

Arterial Thrombosis

EC Markers in COVID19 Thromboinflammation

The devastating COVID19 pandemic has led medical researchers led by Brandon M. Henry, MD, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA to identify and characterize the pathophysiology of a number of thromboinflammation-related endothelial secretions. Some important terms relatively new to medical laboratory science include ADAMTS13/VWFag ratio, NETosis, and cell-free […]

Arterial Thrombosis

February, 2022 QQ Response: Platelet Aggs

Thanks to our 57 FF participants for your responses to our February 2022 Quick Question. The question stem was: “What single agonist is your first choice to measure platelet response to aspirin?” ADP: 14% [8] TRAP: 2% [1] Collagen: 2% [1] Epinephrine: 28% [16] Arachidonic acid: 54% [31] Although this question is a poll, my […]

Arterial Thrombosis

COVID-19: VWF/ADAMTS13 Balance

Thanks to Brandon Michael Henry MD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for drawing attention to his award-winning review, co-authored with Drs. Emmanuel Favaloro and Giuseppe Lippi, which details the relationship between von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS13 and applies the VWF/ADAMTS13 activity ratio to the thrombotic progression of the SARS-CoV2 infection. The authors review 67 primary […]

Arterial Thrombosis

Primary CVD Disease: Is Low Dose ASA Effective?

Thanks to Dean Willett, Precision BioLogic Inc, for pointing me to this October 12, 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force release, “Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: Preventive Medication,” which recommends against daily low-dose aspirin as a means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, and colorectal cancer regardless of age or comorbities. […]

Antiplatelet 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

Covid-Coag Conversation 9-15-20

You are invited to our Tuesday, September 15, 2020 webinar, Covid-Associated Coagulopathy: A Conversation about the Controversies and Confusion featuring pathology expert Andrew J. Goodwin, MD, University of Vermont Medical Center Laboratory Director. Click https://conta.cc/3aMDoNp for the eblast or bit.ly/COVID-Coag to go directly to the registration page. Covid-Coag is a PACE-accredited one-hour presentation, 5–6 PM […]

Arterial Thrombosis

Covid and Hemostasis Riley Article

For a succinct summary of hemostasis mechanisms and management in the Covid-19 infection, see Riley P. Pandemic care: The need for hemostasis testing in critically ill COVID-19 patients. MLO 5-20-20, accessed 7-7-20. Also visit Stago’s Edvantage Virtual University for their recent program, Thromboembolism in COVID-19: Laboratory Considerations by Michael P Gulseth, Pharm. D., BCPS, FMSHP, […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

July, 2020 Quick Question: Covid

Our July 2020 Quick Question highlights the hemostasis laboratory’s responsibility in monitoring the thrombotic aspects of Covid disease progression and recovery. Please provide your answer to “What assay does your lab use to monitor Covid-19 severity?” Feel free to add comments about this critical need using the Comments link or by emailing George at [email protected]

Arterial Thrombosis

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George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George holds faculty appointments with Rutgers University and Michigan State University, and is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, American Association of Clinical Chemists, and American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

Cheat Sheets from George

Quick Question