Quick Question Archive

November 2020 QQ: VWF Activity Assay Responses

Our November, 2020 Quick Question attracted 37 participants. Here is the stem: “Which VWF activity assay is preferred at your facility [check 10-31-20 post]?” The selections were… VWF:RCo: 58% [21] VWF:GP1bR: 3% [1] VWF:GP1gM: 14% [5] VWF:Ab: 3% [1] VWF:CBA: 22% [8]* The time-honored Ristocetin cofactor assay remains the most prevalent of VWF activity assays. […]

Bleeding Disorders

October 2020 Quick Question: Inflammatory Marker Results

Our October, 2020 Quick Question was, “What inflammation assay does your lab use to assess SARS-CoV-2 progression?” The question attracted 223 votes, a record turnout, but the answers were phrased in a way that directed us to a single answer! Here are the results: CRP: 7% [16] ESR: 0% Ferritin: 1% [2] IL-6: 3% [7] […]

Quick Question Archive

October 2020 Quick Question: Inflammation

Our October Quick Question is selected from the many open questions we received during our September 15 webinar. “Covid-Associated Coagulopathy: A Conversation about Controversies and Confusion” [click] featuring Andrew Goodwin, MD, CLIA Medical Director, University of Vermont Medical Center and Laboratory Services and Section Medical Director of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Laboratory. In our Quick […]

Quick Question Archive

Sept, 2020 Quick Question Reponse: Fibrinolysis

Here are our responses to the September, 2020 Quick Question, wich attracted 51 participants. How does your facility measure fibrinolysis? Plasminogen: 3 [5%] Tissue plasminogen activator [TPA]: 1 [2%] Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 [PAI-1]: 1 [2%] Thromboelastograph [TEG]: 10 [20%] Rotational thromboelastometry [ROTEM]: 36 [71%] As we speculated the first three measures of fibrinolysis are […]

Sept, 2020 Quick Question: Fibrinolysis

Introducing our September, 2020 Quick Question, a laboratory service poll, “How do you measure fibrinolysis?” Please select your answer on the right or if you don’t see the answer you are looking for, please add your comment below.

August, 2020 Quick Question on D-dimer Results

Our August, 2020 Quick Question asks, “What condition may account for a chronically elevated D-dimer?” We’ve had 59 respondents with a broad distribution of results: Plasma human anti-mouse antibody: 7% [4] Rheumatoid factor: 14% [8] Chronic low-grade inflammation: 24% [14] Venous thromboembolic disease: 17% [10] Disseminated intravascular coagulation: 34% [20] Other, please comment: 4% [3] […]

Case: Consistent D-dimer Elevation

A 35-YO woman experiences fatigue. The attached table [click] illustrates typical laboratory findings consistent over 18 months: reduced MCV, MCH, and MCHC, and mildly elevated ESR, CRP, and D-dimer. She reports that she has sickle-thalassemia, which accounts for her slightly decreased RBC indices. Please refer to our August Quick Question on the right, and choose […]

Quick Question Archive

June, 2020 QQ: Protein S Deficiency Results

Our June, 2020 Quick Question, “What assay does your lab use as an initial protein S screen?” attracted 37 answers, implying that not many of us are testing routinely for protein S deficiency. Here are the answers: Total protein S antigen 3% [1] Free protein S antigen 43% [16] Clot-based protein S activity: 30% [11] […]

Quick Question Archive

June, 2020 QQ: Protein S Deficiency

Our June, 2020 Quick Question asks what assay we use to screen for protein S deficiency. Our purpose is to support the development of a Choosing Wisely recommendation that addresses our use of thrombosis risk factor test profiles, which customarily include a protein S assay. Thanks in advance, and please feel free to comment on […]

Quick Question Archive

May 2020 Quick Question: D-dimer Results

Our May, 2020 Quick Question, which attracted 70 responses, was, “What assay does your lab use to monitor DIC?” The answers were somewhat predictable, only with a twist. They were: a. FDP: 1% [1] b. D-dimer: 69% [48] c. FDP & D-dimer: 30% [21] d. Other, please comment: 0 These findings are interesting because most […]

Load more

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