Thrombophilia

Protein S Activity < 1%

George had a phone conversation with a reference lab colleague who generated protein S levels on a patient specimen: free and total protein S concentrations over 70%, clot-based protein S activity less than 1%. PT normal, PTT prolonged by about 15 seconds. DRVVT prolonged, not shortened by platelet phospholipid-rich reagent. What could account for these […]

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

Age-adjusted D-dimer, 12/2017 CAP Today

The December CAP Today featured an article about age-adjusted D-dimer assay reference intervals.The article features interviews with Drs. Russell Higgins, Dorothy Adcock, Karen Moser, Oksana Volod, and Chris Lehman. See also our in-depth on this topic in response to a November 8, 2014 entry from Sylvia Stacy, Concord Hospital, NH. It appears from the CAP […]

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

When to Collect Thrombophilia Specimens

George has been communicating with Drs. Elaine Keohane (Rutgers) and Larry Smith (Abbott) about how long to wait after a thrombotic event to collect a specimen for a thrombosis risk profile. Thrombosis risk profiles include assays for antithrombin, protein C, and protein S deficiencies, which can’t be accurately measured during periods of acute inflammation (such […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

Factor V Leiden Blog

My name is Bob Grant and I have Factor V Leiden (factor V Leiden mutation, FVL). I have just launched the Factor V Leiden Blog™. I am looking for contributors and/or participants for this site. I am also hoping for ideas on what I might add to the site and/or how to improve it. I […]

Antithrombin Deficiency Affects Heparin Assays

Another important issue addressed by Dr. James Quesenberry, St. Luke’s Laboratory, Sioux City, Iowa. His message: I understood from early on that antithrombin (AT, antithrombin III, ATIII) deficient patients can’t be assayed for unfractionated heparin using the Stago chromogenic anti-Xa heparin assay. I thought this was an all-or-none issue, only a big deal in congenital […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

World Thrombosis Day Today

World Thrombosis Day Today, Friday, October 13: Engage Your Patients, Colleagues or Students WTD 2017 is focused on venous thromboembolism (VTE) and hospitalization as a leading risk factor for VTE. VTE can be prevented, yet patients at high risk for developing the condition often don’t receive life-saving prevention. Engage with your patients, colleagues and/or students […]

C-reactive Protein

From Ali Sadeghi-Khomami, Precision BioLogic: Hi George, First of all congratulations for a decade of your valuable blog. It came certainly a long way and proudly as well. Your blog nowadays is the first site visited by many researchers who are seeking to find a solution for their coag problem. I hope to see its […]

Arterial Thrombosis

Another World Thrombosis Day Invitation

Dear World Thrombosis Day partner, You are invited to attend a free VTE Educational Symposium on Thursday, October 12, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City in recognition of World Thrombosis Day 2017. This event is jointly hosted by the ISTH and Northwell Health and will provide an update on the risk and thrombosis […]

Load more

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

Quick Question