Our participants apparently support some of the principles of the controversial new ISTH lupus anticoagulant testing guidelines; Pengo V, Tripodi A, Reber G, et al. Update of the guidelines for lupus anticoagulant detection. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7: 1737-40. Here are the answers for our October Quick Question:
“The ISTH Scientific and Standardization Committee has issued an update on their guidelines for lupus anticoagulant testing. What do you consider to be the most sensitive screen?”
a. Low-phospholipid partial thromboplastin time: 29%
b. Dilute Russell viper venom time: 71%
c. Dilute prothrombin time: 0%
d. Kaolin clotting time: 0%
I was not surprised about the cumbersome kaolin clotting time, but I thought there were labs around still using Dr. Triplett’s time-honored dilute prothrombin time (tissue thromboplastin inhibition (TTI). If you use this assay, please send me a response describing how you use it and the kinds of results you are getting. Geo.
No comments here.