Bleeding Disorders

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

Feb, 2020 Quick Question: Chronic Bleeding

Our February, 2020 Quick Question, which drew 114 answers, asks, “For chronic bleeds, poor wound healing with normal PT, PTT, FG and platelets, what assay should be next?” Answers: Factor VIII: 18% (21) Factor IX: 3% (3) Factor XI: 4% (5) Factor XIII: 75% (85) The question was meant to draw us to factor XIII […]

Bleeding Disorders

Chromogenic Factor VIII Assay

The Thrombosis and Hemostasis Summit of North America (THSNA) convenes in Chicago Thursday, April 23 to Saturday April 25. Fritsma Factor’s sponsor, Precision BioLogic Inc, Halifax, NS, and Affinity Biologicals, Inc,Toronto, ON will occupy booth 401. From 5:45 to 6:30 on Thursday, presenters will be located near their posters including the following posters developed by […]

Bleeding Disorders

QQ Results: 5 YO Girl with Systemic Bleeding

Our January, 2020 Quick Question was based on our December 26, 2019 case, 5 YO Girl with Systemic Bleeding. This case generated discussion from experts around the world, whose comments are provided below. But first, here is the question and responses. Question: What diagnosis fits no aggregation reponse to ADP, collagen, and AA? The question […]

Bleeding Disorders

New Chromogenic Factor VIII Assay

In a January 20, 2020 press release, Fritsma Factor sponsor Precision BioLogic Inc. announced the availability of its new CRYOcheck Chromogenic Factor VIII assay in Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand following market authorization by Health Canada and the respective in-country regulatory authorities. This assay offers a test range from 0–200% FVIII using […]

Bleeding Disorders

QQ: 5 YO Girl with Systemic Bleeding

On February 24, 2011, George responded privately to a question posted to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Consumer Web Forum from the parent of a 5-YO girl. The girl had experienced epistaxis and easy bruising from birth. Platelet aggregometry, performed on a specimen taken January 23, 2007 (1 YO) reported no aggregation to […]

Bleeding Disorders

Quick Question: PT substitute

Our November, 2019 Quick Question asks, “What may you substitute for the PT when LAC prolongs the PT?” This question addresses the unreliability of the PT for monitoring Coumadin therapy when lupus anticoagulant interferes by prolonging the result. It is also relevant to PT prolongation by fibrinogen deficiency or factors II, V, VII, or X […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Quick Question: Liver Disease or VK Deficiency?

Here are the results to our October, 2019 Quick Question, “What factor assays do you perform to distinguish liver disease from vitamin K deficiency?” a. II and V: 13 (15%) b. V and X: 10 (12%) c. II and X: 8 (9%) d. V and VII: 44 (51%) e. VII and X: 11 (13%) The […]

Bleeding Disorders

Factor VIII and XIII Deficiency?

I responded to a recent inquiry on the subject of a possible combined factor VIII and XIII deficiency. The comment is appended to a December 28, 2010 discussion of this possibility, which seems vanishingly rare. I’d like to hear from our participants if they’ve had any recent experience suggesting a combined deficiency>

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

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