Coagulation Factors

New Quick Question: Bethesda Titers

Please review and vote on our May, 2016 Quick Question, “How does your laboratory measure factor inhibitors?” in preparation for our Thursday, June 2 Webinar described below. George will report on your Quick Question findings. If none of the answers reflect your policy, please add a comment to this entry. Please join Precision BioLogic Inc, […]

Bleeding Disorders

More on Elevated PC Activity

We’ve had four substantive comments on Kelly Townsend’s January 12, 2016 post about elevated protein C activity, including recent communications from two frequent contributors, Donna Castellone and Dr. Vadim Koustosov. Your comments are also welcome. Geo.

Coagulation Factors

Factor XII Deficiency and the Intrinsic Pathway

Ellie Coggins, MLS(ASCP)CM, MSHA, writes, I have a coagulation question I’m hoping you can help me with. I am wondering why factor VII deficiency causes significant bleeding problems but factor XII deficiency does not. One source I found stated that this is because the extrinsic pathway is the primary pathway in vivo and that the […]

Coagulation Factors

Pediatric Reference Intervals

From Dr. Jasmina Ahluwalia: Dear George, I wonder if you could help me. Is there is a recent reference range available for the pediatric population for the coagulation screening tests, factor assays, protein C, protein S and antithrombin assays on the ACL TOP systems? I did come across one on the STAGO and Sysmex systems […]

Coagulation Factors

TIC Presentation

Thanks to everyone who attended my presentation, “Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy” on Friday, June 19 on the Auburn University at Montgomery campus, and thanks to Kathy Jones and the organizers for the invitation. As promised, the handout for my presentation is now available on my previous post.

Bleeding Disorders

Don’t Worry–Be Happy

Donna Castellone of New York Presbyterian posted an interesting discussion of emotional stress and inflammatory markers in her column, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” linked here.

Arterial Thrombosis

Unexplained Prolonged PTT

From Dr. Samir Patel: George, I have enjoyed reading the blog for many years now (since fellowship) and am wondering if you could shed some light on a patient I am working up. This is a 90 year old woman who was sent for evaluation after she developed a hematoma post cardiac catheterization (no need […]

Coagulation Factors

Bleeding in 75-YO With CLL

Here is a case sent in by a colleague. A 75 YO woman with CLL. In April, 2014, she had a prolonged PTT but was not worked up. She recently presented to an outside hospital with weakness and falls and was found to have a HGB of 5.1 g/dL and a PTT of 90 seconds. […]

Coagulation Factors

Confusing Coag Test Names

On October 16, 2013 George spoke on the subject, “Clumsy Coagulation Communication, Let’s Blame the Lab” in Seattle, Washington. One issue we discussed was confusing coagulation test names, and we talked about the kinds of erroneous orders that are generated. Here is a follow-up to the presentation, a brief list of confusing names with an explanation for each. […]

Coagulation Factors

“Backwards” FVIII Dilutions

From Kim Kinney, Indiana University Health, Hi George! We have a severe hemophiliac with an 8BU inhibitor receiving ReFacto. Factor assays are high, but dilutions dilute backward! 367, 238, then 183, then 167 causing a CV flag. We have seen this before, but have never heard an explanation for the “backward” dilution affect. Can you shed light? […]

Coagulation Factors

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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.

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