Quick Question Archive

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.

Quick Question Archive

November, 2019 Quick Question

Our November, 2019 Quick Question asked, “What may you substitute for the PT when LAC prolongs the PT?” We accumulated 53 votes. A. None, use the PT anyway: 9% (5) B. Chromogenic anti-Xa: 13% (7) C. Chromogenic factor X: 30% (16) D. Activated clotting time: 8% (4) E. Thrombin time: 11% (6) F. There is […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

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

September, 2019 QQ Response: Poor Wound Healing

Here is our September, 2019 Quick Question with responses from 100 participants. A 25-YO experienced chronic soft tissue bleeding and poor wound healing. His PT, PTT, and PLT count were normal. What follow-up assay is indicated? a. Platelet aggregometry 24 (24%) b. Factor VIII and IX assay 12 (12%) c. Factor XIII assay 37 (37%) […]

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.

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