Quick Question Archive

March, 2018 Quick Question: D-dimer Controls

Here are the results of our March, 2018 Quick Question about the appropriate D-dimer controls. What controls are most valid for managing D-dimer assay precision? VTE decision point control only; 500 ng/mL FEUs 10% (3) Low end of linearity & VTE decision point: 100 and 500 ng/mL FEUs: 32% (10) Low and high ends of […]

D-dimer Controls

In 2008, John Olson, MD provided a lengthy comment on the variabilities of D-dimer assay results, and since then a look-back reveals the number of discussions we’ve held about the variability in D-dimer reporting and how this affects clinical decision making. In the years since Dr. Olson’s post little has been accomplished to harmonize D-dimer […]

Quick Question Archive

January, 2018 Quick Question: RIs

Here are the results of our January, 2018 Quick Question, How do you establish a coag factor reference interval? A. Use a published RI from an article or textbook: 3 votes, 7% B. Validate manufacturer’s RI using ~ 20 locally collected aliquots: 16 votes, 39% C. Validate manufacturer’s RI using ~30 locally collected aliquots: 11 […]

Quick Question Archive

When to Label Tubes

Our December, 2017 Quick Question asked, “When is the correct time to label blood specimen tubes?” The question generated 124 votes, an exceptional total that illustrates the level of concern for this issue. The answers were: Prior to meeting the patient: 6 (5%) In the presence of the patient, before collecting the blood: 36 (29%) […]

Quick Question Archive

November Quick Question: Thrombophilia

Here are the results of our November, 2017 Quick Question, answered by 60 respondents: Question: When should you perform an antithrombin, protein C, and protein S profile? a. Soon after starting anticoagulant therapy: chosen by 0 respondents, 0% b. Just after a thrombotic event but before starting anticoagulant: chosen by 10 respondents, 17% c. Seven […]

Quick Question Archive

October 2017 QQ Responses

Our Quick Question for October, 2017 was a quiz question with one correct answer: you perform platelet aggregometry. Aggregation results are normal in response to all agonists except ristocetin. You rule out VWD. What diagnosis could it be? a. Bernard-Soulier syndrome: 47 (61%) b. Glanzmann thrombasthenia: 18 (24%) c. Aspirin-like syndrome: 8 (10%) d. Storage […]

Platelet Function Testing

QQ for 9-17: DOAC Measurement

Here are the responses to our August, 2017 Quck Question: “How do you assay for direct oral anti-Xa antithrombotics like rivaroxaban?” A. Prothrombin time: 2 (3%) B. Partial thromboplastin time: 2 (3%) C. Chromogenic anti-Xa: 31 (48%) D. Dilute Ruessell viper venom time: 1 (2%) E. DOASENSE urine detection strip: 0 F. We don’t assay […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Quick Question Correction

You may have noticed that our September, 2017 Quick Question contained an error: How do you assay for direct oral anti-Xa antithrombotics like dabigatran? Dabigatran, of course, is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, not a direct anti-Xa inhibitor. This error was George’s, not Dave’s. Thanks to Dr. Emannuel Favaloro, who wrote: just advising that your […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

August Quick Question: Fibrinolysis

Here are the results of our August, 2017 Quick Question with 68 total votes: How do you test for fibrinolysis? a. TEG or TEM: 9 (13%) b. D-dimer: 36 (53%) c. Plasminogen: 0 (0%) d. PAI-1: 1 (1%) e. D-dimer plus plasminogen: 10 (15%) f. D-dimer, plasminogen, and PAI-1: 6 (9%) f. We don’t test […]

QQ for 7-17: Specimen Storage

Our July, 2017 Quick Question was, “How do you store plasma specimens when coagulation testing is delayed to beyond 48 hours?“ We totaled 86 responses, and here are the results: Controlled refrigerator at 1–6°C 9% (8) Controlled freezer at –20°C 33% (28) Household freezer at ~ –20°C 3% (3) Controlled freezer at –70°C 55% (47) […]

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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

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