Quick Question Archive

January 2024 Quick Question Response: Platelet Function Tests

Fritsma Factor’s January 2024 Quick Question asks, “What platelet function test do you use?” Our 43 participants responded… Light transmittance aggregometry: 15 [35%] Whole blood aggregometry: 7 [16%] Lumiaggregometry: 8 [19%] Bleeding time: 0 PFA 100/200: 13 [30%] Presuming that those who chose the lumiaggregometry entry perform theirs on an impedance-based whole blood aggregometer, we […]

Quick Question Archive

January 2024 Quick Question: Platelet Function Tests

Our January 2024 question is a poll submitted by Dave McGlasson, asking, “What platelet function test do you use?” While light transmittance aggregometry [LTA] has been available since the mid-1960s and is regarded by many as the reference method for platelet function testing, many have switched to the simpler whole blood aggregometry [WBA]. Our answers […]

Bleeding Disorders

December 2023 Quick Question Summary: VWD Subtype 2B

Our December 2024 Quick Question, “How do you test for VWD subtype 2B?” attracted 31 responses as follows: RIPA: 15 [48%] VWFAg: 2 [7%] VWF:CB: 5 [16%] VWF:RCo: 6 [19%] Multimeric analysis: 3 [10%] Our question drew this comprehensive discussion from Dr. Emmanuel Favaloro on Tuesday, December 12, 2023: Hi George, I have been following […]

Bleeding Disorders

December 2023 Quick Question: VWD Subtype 2B

Our December 2023 Quick Question asks, “How do you test for VWD subtype 2B?” This is in follow-up to our February 2023 question, “What VWF activity assay do you use?” VWD subtype 2B is a qualitative VWF deficiency caused by a gain-of-function mutation that increases VWF-platelet-binding avidity. Please answer the quiz and post your comments […]

Bleeding Disorders

November 2023 Quick Question: Platelet Hyperaggregability Summary

Our modest 15-player response to the November 2023 Quick Question poll implies a scant interest in platelet hyperaggregability, the outcome of an October 4 post by Mayukh Sarkar, PhD. “Sticky Platelet Syndrome.” Question: Do you test for platelet hyperaggregation? No, there’s no such thing: 6 [40%] Yes, we call it “sticky platelets:” 6 [40%] We […]

Arterial Thrombosis

November 2023 QQ: Platelet Hyperaggregability

Our November Quick Question is another poll, this time in response to our provocative October 4, 2023 discussion, initiated by Dr. Mayukh Sarkar, entitled “Sticky Platelet Syndrome.” The question asks, “Do you test for platelet hyperaggregation?” As always, please answer the poll and then post your written opinion in the “Comments” section below.

Quick Question Archive

October 2023 QQ Summary

Our October Quick Question poll asked, “Should coag factors be relabeled using Arabic numerals?” The poll arose from a discussion initiated by Dave McGlasson and attracted 42 responses: No, keep Roman numerals: 18 [42%] Yes, reduce confusion: 18 [42%] Use both Roman and Arabic numerals: 6 [16%] It’s no surprise, based on our earlier discussion, […]

Quick Question Archive

October 2023 Quick Question: Should we Update Coag Factor Names?

Our October 2023 Quick Question follows up a provocative discussion that started with a question by Dave McGlasson who had seen recent hemostasis publications that used Arabic numerals [alternatively called Western or European numerals] instead of Roman numerals. For clarity, Mr. McGlasson was not referring to genetic terminology, which has always used, for example, F8 […]

Quick Question Archive

September 2023 Quick Question: Hemolysis

Our September 2023 Quick Question was a poll that asked, “What unit sends most of your hemolyzed specimens?” The poll received 32 answers: Newborn ICU: 8 [25%] Emergency room: 20 [63%] Other ICU sources: 3 [9%] Remote phlebotomy site: 1 [3%] Thanks to all for your responses. Although visible plasma hemolysis may indicate in vivo […]

Quick Question Archive

Erroneous Factor Assay Order?

Here is a 9-21-23 follow-up from Dr. Emmanuel Favaloro to our provocative September 8, 2023 discussion, Arabic Numerals. “OK, here’s one from today! Specimen management staff booked the sample for factors XIII, IX, XI, and XII! FVIII was not booked in.” Bob Gosselin responded, “Whatever is chosen, there will be those industrious few who will […]

Bleeding Disorders

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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.

Cheat Sheets from George

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