Thrombophilia

bigEndothelin-1

Here is a significant study of a plasma component associated with thrombosis in immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura published by a colleague and friend, Dr. X Long Zheng, an iTTP expert, and his associate, Dr. Nancy Lu: Lu R, Zheng XL. Plasma levels of bigEndothelin-1 are associated with renal insufficiency and in-hospital mortality of immune thrombotic […]

Covid Coag: Thromboinflammation Talk

On Thursday, April 29, 7–8 CDT, George presents for the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science–North Dakota via Zoom, “COVID-Coag: What the Heck is “Immuno-thrombo-inflammation?” Here is the updated six-per-page handout for my presentation.

Let’s Use “VITT”

ISTH has chosen the title, Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia [VITT] for the adverse event we identified as VAPIT on 4/15/21. ISTH has drafted the attached Interim Guidance for Diagnosis and Treatment of VITT [click]. Watch Fritsma Factor regularly for updates to this document as events unfold.

What is VAPIT?

Since the April 14 meeting of the CDC‘s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP, click], information has become available about “Vaccine-Associated Prothrombotic Immune Thrombocytopenia” [VAPIT, or the ultimate name and acronym the scientific community ultimately settles on, if any]. Some vaccine adenovirus vectors may induce a rare autoimmune response that appears to associate with platelet […]

LA Interferences

Here is a 2019 poster describing interferences that affect the PTT-based lupus anticoagulant test profile: Effects of Common Interferents in Hexagonal Phase Phospholipid Neutralization Testing by Douglas C, Wood A, Sadeghi-Khomami A, and Black K. The poster features Precision BioLogic’s newly approved CRYOcheck™ Hex LA product.

Webinar Recording: VWF: Friend or Foe

A recording of our January 26, 2021 webinar, von Willebrand Factor, Friend or Foe [click] is now available on the BioMedica Diagnotics, Inc. home page. Here is a summary from our January announcements: Von Willebrand factor [VWF] is crucial to platelet adhesion and proper effective coagulation. In addition, VWF appears to be associated with inflammation […]

Jan, 2021 QQ: CFX Answers

Our January, 2021 Quick Question asked, “How does your facility monitor warfarin in an atrial fibrillation [AFIB] patient with lupus anticoagulant [LAC]? The answers were… PT–INR; it is valid in LAC [33%] Chromogenic factor X [10, CFX] [33%] Chromogenic anti-factor Xa [23%] None: we switch to a DOAC [11%] Our question attracted too small a […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

New: CRYOcheck Hex LA

Congratulations to Precision BioLogic Inc. who today announce the release of their newly developed CRYOcheck HexLA® [click]. Following several years in development, CRYOcheck HexLA is FDA cleared, CE Marked, Health Canada authorized and ncluded on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Thanks to PBI’d Elaine Benoit for the heads-up.

Jan, 2021 QQ: The Chromogenic Factor X Assay

Before 2010, several articles were published supporting the chromogenic factor X [CFX] assay [not to be confused with the chromogenic anti-factor Xa heparin assay] for monitoring warfarin therapy, especially in patients whose lupus anticoagulant [LAC} could falsely prolong the prothrombin time. Two of these articles are attached below. While the data published made it clear […]

Anticoagulant Therapy

CLS Journal Hemostasis Articles

A recent 2020 Clinical Laboratory Science Journal, publication of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, offers the following hemostasis-related articles, purchasable for $5 each: Nardi MA. Emicizumab and the clinical laboratory. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29074/ascls.119.002204 Ketelson B. Molecular action of ADAMTS13 and transfusion therapies of thrombotic thrombocytopenia pupura. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29074/ascls.120.002287 Ketelson B. An overview of the […]

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.

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