Quick Question Archive

April, 2020 Quick Question: HEMLIBRA Results

Our April, 2020 Quick Question was: “How does your facility measure factor VIII during HEMLIBRA therapy?” Here are our answers from 29 respondents: a. One-stage PTT-based FVIII assay: 17% (5) b. Two-stage chromogenic FVIII assay: 45% (13) c. PTT-based assay calibrated to emicizumab: 10% (3) d. There is no reliable assay: 28% (8) Dr. Ali […]

Bleeding Disorders

April, 2020 Quick Question: HEMLIBRA

With the rapid onset of game-changing injectable emicizumab [HEMLIBRA] therapy for hemophilia, coagulation laboratories face a new challenge. On the occasions when HEMLIBRA-treated hemophiliacs need factor VIII concentrate therapy, or if there is a desire to test for residual factor VIII, what means does the laboratory possess? Likewise, the clinician may need a means to […]

Bleeding Disorders

March 2020 Quick Question Summary

Our March, 2020 Quick Question, “How does your facility measure extended half-life factor VIII concentrate therapy?” drew 24 votes, reflecting the number of laboratories serving Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders services worldwide. Here are the answers: A. One-stage clot-based FVIII assay 46% [11] B. Two-stage chromogenic FVIII assay 42% [10] C. We don’t measure, assays are […]

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

QQ: Chronic Bleeds, Normal PT and PTT

For our February, 2020 Quick Question we ask, “a 34-YO woman who experiences chronic bleeding and poor wound healing has normal PT, PTT, fibrinogen, and platelet results, including platelet function testing. What test should be performed next?” Please provide your answer and post comments here using the comment function or by emailing George ([email protected]).

Quick Question Archive

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

Quick Question: Discard Tube?

Our December, 2019 Quick Question asks, “When collecting hemostasis specimens, when do you use a discard tube?” Results from 46 respondents: A. Just before every blue-closure tube: 6 (13%) B. Never, the discard tube is unnecessary: 2 (4%) C. Just after an additive tube to avoid carryover: 8 (18%) D. When collecting through an infusion […]

Quick Question Archive

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

December, 2019 Quick Question

Check our December, 2019 Quick Question on the right: “When collecting hemostasis specimens, when do you use a discard tube?” Please provide an answer based on your facility’s specimen management policy. If your answer doesn’t match the answers that are offered, please provide your comment below or send it to George at [email protected] for publication.

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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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