Comparison of Commercial Low Molecular Weight Heparin and Homemade Anti-Xa Calibrators to a Commercial Specific Anti-Xa Calibrator for Plasma Rivaroxaban Quantification by Anti-Xa Oral Anticoagulant Plasma Concentration Chromogenic Assay.

OBJECTIVE: The main concern about measuring the concentration of rivaroxaban by anti-Xa assay in some laboratories is the lack of a commercial specific calibrator in emergencies. Therefore, this study aimed at providing a homemade anti-Xa calibrator and commercial low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anti-Xa calibrator. METHODS: The anti-Xa plasma concentration of rivaroxaban was measured in 70 patients using a commercial specific anti-Xa calibrator, a commercial LMWH anti-Xa calibrator, and a homemade anti-Xa calibrator. RESULTS: We demonstrated a significant correlation and agreement (P < .001) between LMWH-calibrated anti-Xa and the commercial specific calibrator. A significant correlation (P < .001) was found between homemade calibrated anti-Xa made by normal pooled plasma and that calibrated with a commercial specific drug. The nonspecific homemade and LMWH calibrators had excellent agreement (P < .001) and can be used interchangeably. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that for estimating rivaroxaban concentrations, the LMWH calibrator could be used as an alternative calibrator in the anti-Xa assay.

Hematological Parameters Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among women worldwide. It accounts for 25% of all women's cancers. This cancer is invasive with a high mortality rate. Evaluation of hematological factors is one of the reliable paraclinical methods to diagnose diseases. Hematological parameters can predict severity, mortality, and follow-up treatment in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate hematological parameters as useful markers to distinguish between patients with breast cancer and healthy individuals. METHODS: This study was conducted on 160 women with breast cancer as case groups and 160 healthy women as controls. Hematological parameters were analyzed using the Sysmex KX-21N™ automated hematology analyzer system. RESULTS: The difference between the breast cancer patients and the control group was significant in Hb, HCT, MCV, RDW parameters, and MPV/PLT ratio (p < 0.05) (effect size > 0.8). Also, there was a moderate difference between the two groups in MPV and MCH parameters (p < 0.05) (0.5 < effect size < 0.8). Meanwhile, two groups had a minimal difference in NLR, PLR, and MCHC parameters and WBC and RBC count (p < 0.05) (0.2 < effect size < 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The routine blood test is the most accessible and essential examination tool for disease diagnosis. Our results showed that hematological parameters, like MCV, RDW, MPV, MPV/PLT count, NLR, and PLR, can differentiate breast cancer patients from healthy individuals.