Thrombophilia

Age-adjusted D-dimer Cutoff

From Amberly Nunez: Hi George, I am curious to see if anyone is using the age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff for PE? I know this topic was discussed in 2014 and wanted to see if there has been a practice change since that time. We are using the STA Liatest D-Di and our ED physicians have asked […]

Webinar: The Many Faces of VWF Part 1: Von Willebrand Factor and Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome

Fritsma Factor participants, we invite you to view Part 1 of our video: series ‘Coag Conversations’ The Many Faces of von Willebrand Factor; or Von Willebrand Factor, ADAMTS13, Malignancy, and Beyond: Von Willebrand Factor and Acquired von Willebrand syndrome, A Kaleidoscope of Presentations.” This is the first of a three-part series sponsored by BioMedica Diagnostics of […]

Arterial Thrombosis

VWF: Friend or Foe

I [Geo] will present, “Von Willebrand Factor, Friend or Foe: MA, TTP, aHUS, STEC-HUS, MAHA, PLEX, TIC, ADAMTS13, VWF What Does it All Mean?” for the combined ASCLS-Alaska, -Washington, and -Oregon on Friday, April 21, 1–2 CDT, and again for ASCLS-North Dakota on Friday, April 28, 2–3 CDT. These presentations are virtual. Click here for […]

Spinal Cord Stroke

On February 26, 2023, a Fritsma Factor participant asked about a relative’s diagnosis of spinal cord stroke. Spinal cord stroke is rare, 0.3–1% of all strokes. I’ve attached a review article, Romi F, Naess H. Spinal cord infarction in clinical neurology: a review of characteristics and long-term prognosis in comparison to cerebral infarction. Eur Neurol. […]

Arterial Thrombosis

December 2022 Quick Question: Thrombosis Risk Factor Profile Response

Welcome to 2023. Our December 2022 Quick Question, which drew 45 responses, asks, “What parameter is NOT part of your thrombosis risk factor profile? The answers were: Antithrombin [1, 3%] Protein C [3, 7% ] Protein S [1, 2%] Prothrombin 20210 mutation [1, 3%] Lipoprotein [a] [38, 85%] As anticipated, most of us have dropped, […]

Quick Question Archive

December, 2022 Quick Question: Thrombosis Risk Profiles

I’ve been reviewing Choosing Wisely recommendations and Medscape discussions on the importance of assays for congenital thrombosis risk factors such as antithrombin, protein S, and protein C. We’d like to know what comprises our profiles by asking “What parameter is NOT part of your thrombosis risk factor profile?” Please access our December Quick Question on […]

Quick Question Archive

World Thrombosis Day 10-13-2022

Venous thromboembolism is a condition in which a clot forms in the deep veins of the leg, groin, or arm [deep vein thrombosis, DVT ].

Dr. Brandon Henry: Coag Conversations: All Three

George Fritsma and guest speaker Brandon Michael Henry, MD, Investigative Pathologist at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

August 2022 Quick Question: LAC Testing Responses

Our August 2022 Quick Question attracted 34 responses [despite our discouraging “Recaptcha” security function] and asked, “You test for lupus anticoagulant [LAC] using a low-PL PTT reagent and a hex-phase high-PL mix. The mix results are 10 seconds shorter than the first test. What do you conclude?” LAC positive 32% [11] LAC negative 18% [6] […]

Lupus Anticoagulant

August 2022 Quick Question: LAC Testing

Our August 2022 Quick Question addresses lupus anticoagulant testing, a member of the standard thrombophilia screening profile. “You test for lupus anticoagulant [LAC] using a low-PL PTT reagent and a hex-phase high-PL mix. The mix results are 10 seconds shorter than the first test. What do you conclude?” The question illustrates the PTT-based LAC test […]

Lupus Anticoagulant

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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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