Numerous laboratory assays for APCR exist, yet this chapter highlights one procedure utilizing a commercially available clotting assay based on snake venom and ACL TOP analyzers.
VTE, a condition frequently observed in the veins of the lower limbs, can also occur as a pulmonary embolism. A wide range of factors can cause venous thromboembolism (VTE), varying from provoked causes (for instance, surgery and cancer) to unprovoked causes (like inherited disorders), or a combination of elements that synergistically initiate the condition. Thrombophilia, a complex medical condition with multiple factors, may cause VTE. The causes and the workings of thrombophilia's mechanisms are intricate and require further investigation. In the field of healthcare today, the complete picture of thrombophilia's pathophysiology, diagnosis, and preventive strategies is still partially unknown. Variability in thrombophilia laboratory analysis, alongside its time-dependent changes, persists across diverse providers and laboratories. Harmonized guidelines for both groups concerning patient selection and appropriate analysis conditions for inherited and acquired risk factors are mandatory. This chapter investigates the pathophysiology of thrombophilia, and evidence-based medical guidelines define the most suitable laboratory testing algorithms and protocols for the selection and analysis of VTE patients, thereby ensuring a judicious allocation of limited resources.
For the basic clinical screening of coagulopathies, the prothrombin time (PT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are broadly used tests. For the identification of both symptomatic (hemorrhagic) and asymptomatic coagulation defects, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are valuable tests, but are inappropriate for the evaluation of hypercoagulable states. These tests, nonetheless, can be utilized to research the dynamic progression of clot development via the application of clot waveform analysis (CWA), a method implemented several years past. CWA offers valuable insights into the complexities of both hypocoagulable and hypercoagulable conditions. Modern coagulometers, utilizing specific algorithms, can detect the entire clot formation process in PT and aPTT tubes, commencing with the initial fibrin polymerization stage. The CWA's function encompasses providing details on clot formation velocity (first derivative), acceleration (second derivative), and density (delta). CWA application spans various pathological conditions, including coagulation factor deficiencies (like congenital hemophilia stemming from factor VIII, IX, or XI), acquired hemophilia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), sepsis, and management of replacement therapies. Furthermore, it's used in chronic spontaneous urticaria and liver cirrhosis cases, particularly in high-risk venous thromboembolism patients prior to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis. Clinicians also utilize it for patients presenting with diverse hemorrhagic patterns, corroborated by electron microscopy assessment of clot density. In this report, we describe the materials and methods for the detection of supplementary clotting parameters obtainable from prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assessments.
Clot-forming activity and its subsequent breakdown are frequently assessed via D-dimer measurements. This test is designed with two principal uses in mind: (1) as a diagnostic tool for various health issues, and (2) for determining the absence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). A manufacturer's VTE exclusion warrants using the D-dimer test solely for patients with a pretest probability of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, which is not categorized as high or unlikely. D-dimer kits, whose primary purpose is to assist in diagnosis, must not be used for the exclusion of venous thromboembolism. Given the potential regional variance in the intended application of D-dimer, it is imperative that users refer to the manufacturer's usage instructions to ensure accurate assay execution. A range of methods for quantifying D-dimer are explained in the ensuing chapter.
Physiological adjustments in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, often trending toward a hypercoagulable state, are typically observed in pregnancies that progress normally. A characteristic of this is the increase in the amount of most clotting factors in plasma, a decrease in endogenous anticoagulants, and the prevention of fibrinolysis. Maintaining placental function and minimizing postpartum haemorrhage necessitates these changes, yet they might concomitantly increase the susceptibility to thromboembolic events, particularly towards the conclusion of pregnancy and during the postpartum. During pregnancy, the assessment of bleeding or thrombotic complications requires pregnancy-specific hemostasis parameters and reference ranges, as non-pregnant population data and readily available pregnancy-specific information for laboratory tests are often insufficient. This review consolidates the use of pertinent hemostasis testing for the promotion of evidence-based laboratory interpretation, and delves into the difficulties associated with testing protocols during the course of a pregnancy.
The diagnosis and treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders are significantly aided by hemostasis laboratories. Routine coagulation tests, including prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), are used for numerous purposes. Screening for hemostasis function/dysfunction (e.g., potential factor deficiency), and monitoring anticoagulant therapies, like vitamin K antagonists (PT/INR) and unfractionated heparin (APTT), are capabilities provided by these tests. Clinical laboratories are increasingly tasked with improving service delivery, specifically by accelerating test turnaround times. HIF inhibitor A requirement for laboratories is the lowering of error rates, coupled with the necessity for laboratory networks to standardize and harmonize processes and operational policies. As a result, we describe our experience in the creation and utilization of automated systems for reflex testing and confirming the validity of standard coagulation test results. This approach, already adopted by a 27-laboratory pathology network, is currently being evaluated for use within their significantly larger network, comprising 60 laboratories. The process of routine test validation, reflex testing of abnormal results, and custom-built rules within our laboratory information system (LIS) are fully automated. Adherence to standardized pre-analytical (sample integrity) checks, automated reflex actions, automated verification, and a unified approach to network practices are enabled by these rules, applying to a large network encompassing 27 laboratories. Moreover, the protocols allow for expeditious referral of clinically consequential outcomes to hematopathologists for review. Iodinated contrast media Test turnaround times were shown to improve, with a corresponding reduction in operator time and, subsequently, operating costs. In conclusion, the process enjoyed significant acceptance and was found to be advantageous to the majority of our network laboratories, specifically because of quicker test turnaround times.
The standardization and harmonization of laboratory tests and procedures yield a multitude of advantages. A unified platform for test procedures and documentation is established by harmonization/standardization, benefiting all participating laboratories within a network. genetic sequencing To accommodate lab-wide deployment, staff require no additional training, given the standardized test procedures and documentation across all labs. Facilitating streamlined laboratory accreditation is also possible, because accrediting one laboratory using a particular method and documentation should simplify the accreditation of other labs in the same network, matching the same accreditation standards. Regarding the NSW Health Pathology laboratory network, the largest public pathology provider in Australia, with over 60 laboratories, this chapter details our experience in harmonizing and standardizing hemostasis testing procedures.
The potential for lipemia to influence coagulation testing is acknowledged. Newer coagulation analyzers validated for identifying hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL) in a plasma specimen may detect it. For lipemic samples, where test outcomes may be inaccurate, measures to lessen the interference caused by lipemia are crucial. Those tests employing chronometric, chromogenic, immunologic, or other light scattering/reading-based techniques are vulnerable to the effects of lipemia. To achieve more accurate measurements of blood samples, ultracentrifugation is a process that has shown its effectiveness in removing lipemia. This chapter's content includes a description of an ultracentrifugation technique.
Automated systems are being used more frequently in hemostasis and thrombosis labs. Integrating hemostasis testing within existing chemistry track systems and establishing a dedicated hemostasis track are crucial factors to consider. Ensuring quality and efficiency in automated systems demands the identification and resolution of unique concerns. Among the various issues highlighted in this chapter are centrifugation protocols, the integration of specimen check modules into the workflow, and the inclusion of tests conducive to automation.
For the assessment of hemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders, hemostasis testing in clinical laboratories is critical. Utilizing the performed assays, one can acquire information for diagnosis, risk evaluation, therapeutic effectiveness, and treatment monitoring. Accordingly, hemostasis testing procedures should consistently uphold high quality, encompassing standardization, implementation, and monitoring across all stages of the test, including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes. Patient preparation, blood collection, labeling, transportation, sample processing, and storage represent the pre-analytical phase, the most crucial stage in the testing process, universally acknowledged as essential for accurate results. This article updates the prior coagulation testing preanalytical variable (PAV) guidelines, enabling laboratories to reduce common errors within their hemostasis testing process.