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Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Click “In Their Blood” for a review article about TTP from the University of Kansas (KU) Medical Center’s Pathology Department. The article highlights the early research into ADAMTS13‘s role in VWF metabolism, the early successes of PLEX therapy, and the current availability of the therapeutics caplacizumab and the ADAMTS13 concentrate, Adzynma. Also featured is the […]

Bleeding Disorders

July 2025 QQ: Hemophilia Rebalancing Therapy

Our July 2025 Quick Question asked, “Which is a hemophilia ‘rebalancing’ therapeutic?” The question attracted a modest 22 participants, perhaps an indication that rebalancing therapy was only FDA-approved in 2025 and awaits approval in Canada and Europe. Here are your responses… Valoctocogene roxaparvovec-rvox (ROCTAVIAN) 3 (14%) Efanesoctocog alfa (ALTUVIIIO) 1 (4%) Emicizumab (HemLibra) 7 (32%) […]

Quick Question Archive

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) research has gained prominence beginning in perhaps 2010. I’ve attached an open-access review that illustrates NETs’ functions and shows how NETs connect neutrophils with hemostasis. The article also documents how NETs participate in the process of thrombosis. Click to download Huang G, Wu H, Lin B, et al. Targeting neutrophil extracellular […]

Coagulation Specimen Management

Thanks to Tigist Bekalu for these specimen management questions… What should we do when there is lipemia, icterus (bilirubin), or hemolysis in coagulation tests? Which tests are affected and which are not? How are the results typically reported when we encounter hemolysis, icterus, or lipemia? Sometimes, instead of a number, it just says “Failed.” Also, […]

Clotpedia

Click here for Clotpedia, a new (2025) ECAT service developed by Dr. Piet Meijer. Please visit our “Resources” page at your convenience.

Isolated VWF Activity or Antigen Orders

ASCLS has developed a recommendation for publication on the Effective Test Utilization website that ASCLS populates in collaboration with ASCP and ASM: Don’t order isolated von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) or von Willebrand factor activity (VWF:Act) assays alone. When von Willebrand disease is indicated, order a von Willebrand disease profile consisting of VWF:Ag, VWF:Act, and […]

More on CAP Specimen Requirements

In follow-up to my February 25, 2025 post, New CAP Survey Coag POC Requirements, I asked Dr. Andrew Goodwin, “Does CAP address courier specimen management? I see specimens collected at regional clinics that stand in a door-mounted specimen box for extended periods. I also wonder whether couriers have equipment maintaining coag specimen temperatures between 18 […]

March 2025 Cheat Sheet

Click here for your March 2025 Cheat Sheet or await your copy to arrive by email on or after March 3. If you would like to join the Cheat Sheet mailing list, enter your name and email address in the right-hand column.

February 2025 Quick Question

Our February 2025 Quick Question is a quiz that asks “What factor deficiency is associated with poor wound healing?” You may answer on the right and if convenient, add your comments below and watch for the results on or after March 1.

Platelet Clumping

I received this question on Friday, January 17, 2025: “Hello, where can I find guidance or literature on using sodium citrate tubes to mitigate platelet clumping?” Thank you for your question. This question was partially addressed in a March 11, 2024 post entitled Platelet Satellitism, however, I’ve attached two open-access articles that are helpful. First […]

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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