Screening for lupus anticoagulant: improving the performance of the lupus-sensitive PTT-LA.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present work was to verify whether calculating a ratio between clotting times obtained with the sensitive PTT-LA and a less sensitive activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)-reagent may represent a valuable aPTT-based screening strategy for lupus anticoagulants (LA). METHODS: For the pilot study, plasma samples from normal subjects (n = 15) and from patients with LA (n = 10), therapeutic anticoagulation with vitamin K-antagonists (VKA) (n = 15) or unfractionated heparin (n = 15), coagulation factors deficiency (n = 16), and inhibitory antibodies against factor VIII or IX (n = 11) were studied. For the evaluation study, 1553 consecutive plasma samples from nonanticoagulated patients investigated for LA between January 2005 and December 2007 at our institution were studied. Following screening strategies were employed: Pathromtin-SL (aPTT-SL), PTT-LA (aPTT-LA), ratio aPTT-LA/aPTT-SL (aPTT-ratio), and Russell's viper venom (RVV) based LA-Check. LA positive samples were identified by mixing studies and diluted RVV confirmation test (LA-Check/LA-Sure). RESULTS: Pilot study: All screening strategies had a 100% sensitivity, and the aPTT-ratio reached the highest specificity (82%; 95%CI: 74-90%). Within the evaluation study, following sensitivities for LA screening were observed: aPTT-SL 59.0% (95%CI: 57-61%), aPTT-LA 82.1% (95%CI: 80-84%), aPTT-ratio 92.3% (95%CI: 91-94), and LA-Check 83.3% (95%CI: 82-85%). CONCLUSION: Calculating a ratio between the LA-sensitive PTT-LA and the less sensitive Pathromtin-SL improves the performance of the PTT-LA itself and represents a simple and sensitive aPTT-based integrated strategy for LA screening.

Variability of anti-PF4/heparin antibody results obtained by the rapid testing system ID-H/PF4-PaGIA.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that a low clinical pretest probability may be adequate for excluding heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. However, for patients with intermediate or high pretest probability, laboratory testing is essential for confirming or refuting the diagnosis. Rapid assessment of anti-PF4/heparin-antibodies may assist clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of rapid ID-H/PF4-PaGIA. In particular, we verified reproducibility of results between plasma and serum specimens, between fresh and frozen samples, and between different ID-H/PF4-polymer lots (polystyrene beads coated with heparin/PF4-complexes). PATIENTS/METHODS: The samples studied were 1376 plasma and 914 corresponding serum samples from patients investigated for suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia between January 2000 and October 2008. Anti-PF4/heparin-antibodies were assessed by ID-H/PF4-PaGIA, commercially available ELISAs and heparin-induced platelet aggregation test. RESULTS: Among 914 paired plasma/serum samples we noted discordant results (negative vs. low-titre positive) in nine instances (1%; 95%CI, 0.4-1.6%). Overall, agreement between titres assessed in plasma vs. serum was highly significant (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.975; P < 0.0001). Forty-seven samples tested both fresh and after freezing/thawing showed a good agreement, with one discordant positive/negative result (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.970; P < 0.0001). Among 1376 plasma samples we noted a strikingly variable incidence of false negative results (none - 82%; 95%CI, 66-98%), depending on the employed ID-H/PF4-polymer lot. Faulty lots can be recognized by titrating commercial positive controls and stored samples of HIT-patients. CONCLUSION: Laboratories performing the assay should implement stringent internal quality controls in order to recognize potentially faulty ID-H/PF4-polymer lots, thus avoiding false negative results.

[A patient with isolated prolongation of aPTT without hemorrhagic diathesis anamnesis: severe, hereditary factor XII deficiency]. / Eine Patientin mit isolierter Verlängerung der aPTT ohne Anamnese einer hämorrhagischen Diathese: schwerer hereditärer Faktor XII-Mangel.

By virtue of a severely prolonged aPTT with a normal thromboplastin time (prothrombin time) and a normal thrombin time, severe FXII deficiency has been diagnosed in a woman without a bleeding diathesis or a history of thromboembolic complications. A deficiency of a factor of the contact activation system (FXII, prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen) is usually diagnosed during routine coagulation tests demonstrating a prolonged aPTT. The severe and partial deficiency of FXII, of prekallikrein or high molecular weight kininogen is not associated with a bleeding tendency. In contrast, severely factor XI deficient subjects may suffer from a mild hemorrhagic diathesis, whereas FVIII deficiency (hemophilia A, autoimmune "hemophilia", von Willebrand disease) and FIX deficiency (hemophilia B) are associated with a bleeding tendency of varying severity, depending on the clotting activity of FVIII or FIX, respectively. An isolated prolongation of the aPTT due to a lupus anticoagulant, however, is frequently associated with arterial and/or venous thrombosis. Therefore, in case of a prolongation of the aPTT, its cause has to be determined.

Coagulation factors II, V, VII, and X, prothrombin gene 20210G-->A transition, and factor V Leiden in coronary artery disease: high factor V clotting activity is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction.

Increased levels of hemostatic factors and genetic mutations of proteins involved in coagulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. We investigated clotting activity of factors II (FII:C), V (FV:C), VII (FVII:C), and X (FX:C), the prothrombin gene 20210G-->A transition, and the factor V Leiden mutation in 200 survivors of myocardial infarction and in 100 healthy controls. FV:C (P<0.0001) and FVII:C (P<0.0001) were found to be independent risk factors for myocardial infarction. High FV:C or high FVII:C combined with smoking or arterial hypertension increased the relative risk for myocardial infarction up to 50-fold. One of 177 patients (0.6%) and 4 of 89 controls (4.5%) had the prothrombin 20210 AG genotype. Eleven of 177 patients (6.2%) and 6 of 89 controls (6.7%) were heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation. No homozygous carrier for these mutations was found. Neither the prothrombin gene 20210G-->A transition (odds ratio [OR], 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01 to 1.1) nor the factor V Leiden mutation (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.4 to 2.8) were associated with an increased relative risk for myocardial infarction. In conclusion, our data indicate that neither the prothrombin gene 20210G-->A transition nor the factor V Leiden mutation are risk factors for myocardial infarction. High FVII:C was confirmed to be an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction. Moreover, we describe for the first time that high FV:C is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction.

Performance of a new fibrin monomer assay to exclude deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients.

UNLABELLED: In this study we prospectively assessed the reliability of a new fibrin monomer assay in 106 outpatients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb. According to the results of the objective tests and using different cut-off points we calculated the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the fibrin monomer assay. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was 44.3% (31.1% proximal, 13.2% distal). Using a cut-off level of plasma fibrin monomer of 3.5 microg/ml, a sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 94-100%), 35.6% (95% CI: 23-48%) and 100% (95% CI: 86-100%), respectively, were obtained. The exclusion rate was 19.8% (95% CI: 12-27%) of all referred patients. These accuracy indices compared favourably with the respective results of a routine D-dimer ELISA used for comparison. CONCLUSION: This new fibrin monomer assay appears to be a reliable method for the exclusion of deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients.

Is plasminogen deficiency a thrombotic risk factor? A study on 23 thrombophilic patients and their family members.

The role of plasminogen (plg) deficiency in the pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism is debated in the literature. In the present study we evaluated the prevalence of plg deficiency in our thrombophilia patients and aimed to elucidate the thrombosis risk of plg deficiency as a single defect or in combination with other defects, with special focus on APC resistance. The study cohort included 1192 consecutive patients with a history of clinically or objectively diagnosed venous and/or arterial thromboembolism and/or positive family history who were referred to our department for thrombophilia investigation from 02/1988 to 03/1997. All available family members of patients with plg deficiency were tested for plg, APC resistance and other thrombophilic defects that were established in the propositus. 23/1192 propositi were plg-deficient corresponding to an overall prevalence of 1.9%, i.e. 2.2% in patients with venous thrombosis and 1.4% in those with arterial events. Out of the 23 plg-deficient propositi, 8 showed one or multiple additional thrombophilic defects, and in 4 patients relevant circumstantial risk factors were present. Of the 53 available family members, 28 were plg-deficient including 5 with additional APC resistance, and 4 subjects had isolated APC resistance. Ten of the 53 family members had already suffered thromboembolic events, i.e. 5 (18%) in the plg-deficient group and 5 (20%) in the non-deficient group, both groups showing an almost identical median age at the time of investigation (28.9 years and 27.1 years, respectively). Based on our data, plg deficiency is a rare defect in thrombophilic patients and as a single defect it does not seem to be a strong thrombotic risk factor, as 11 of 23 propositi had additional thrombophilic defects or circumstantial risk factors, and in the family members thrombotic events were equally frequent in the plg-deficient and non-deficient subjects.

No association of APC resistance with myocardial infarction.

Resistance to activated protein C (APC resistance) due to the factor V mutation 506 Arg-->Gln (factor V Leiden) is the most prevalent inherited risk factor for venous thromboembolism. Its association with arterial thromboembolic disease, however, is still controversial. In the present study we found no difference between the prevalence of APC resistance (assessed by the ratio of the aPTT with and without added APC) in 134 non-anticoagulated survivors of myocardial infarction and that in 100 controls of similar age and sex distribution (2.2% and 2.0%, respectively). Patients showed a significantly higher median value for the aPTT ratio than controls (2.85 and 2.66, respectively), a fact we could not explain by our data.

[Hemostasis parameters in 55 patients with venous and/or arterial thromboembolisms]. / Hämostaseparameter bei 55 Patienten mit venösen und/oder arteriellen Thromboembolien.

55 consecutive patients (28 males and 27 females) who had suffered from (recurrent) venous and/or arterial thromboembolism were evaluated for laboratory findings of thrombophilia. At the time of investigation, 15 patients were taking oral anticoagulants. In addition to patient and family history and clinical examination, a coagulation profile, euglobulin clot lysis time before and after venous occlusion, assays of plasminogen, antithrombin III, protein C (PC), free protein S (PS[f]), and C4b binding protein bound protein S (PS[b]) were obtained. 2 patients not orally anticoagulated had partial PD deficiency with functional PC activity values of 53% and 57% respectively, as compared to normal human plasma (NHP). Functionally active PS(f) was found to be lower than normal in 14 patients not taking oral anticoagulants and without signs of hepatopathy. In 4 of these 14 patients partial PS deficiency was present (PS[f] between 7 and 37% of NHP, and PS[b] between 51 and 86% of NHP). In one of these 4 subjects the hereditary nature of PS deficiency was proven by investigation of family members. In 3 of the 14 patients a shift from PS(f) (between 34 and 66%) towards PS(b) (124-141%) was found. The remaining 7 patients showed subnormal PS(f) values (56-64%) and normal PS(b) values (78-105%). In the patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy, PC and PS levels were diminished. Statistically there was no close relationship between PC and PS levels on the one hand and prothrombin time values on the other. In anticoagulated patients, therefore, PC or PS deficiency can only be diagnosed by investigation of members of the propositus's family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Comparison of a sensitive rabbit brain thromboplastin and a human placenta thromboplastin for thromboplastin time determination]. / Vergleich eines sensitiven Kaninchenhirn-Thromboplastins und eines humanen Plazenta-Thromboplastins zur Thromboplastinzeitbestimmung.

Prothrombin times were measured in 120 orally anticoagulated patients and 122 patients not orally anticoagulated using two different commercial thromboplastin reagents, a rabbit brain thromboplastin (CRB-Thromboplastin, Roche) and a human placenta thromboplastin (Thromborel S, Behring). A good correlation (r = 0.93, slope = 1.089, intercept = 0.014) was found between the International Normalized Ratio (INR) values of the anticoagulated plasmas obtained with both thromboplastins. Defining five degrees of intensity of anticoagulation (between INR less than or equal to 2.0 to INR greater than or equal to 5.1) the intensity of treatment was judged concordantly with both thromboplastins in 67% of the patients and as differing by one degree in 32%. In only one out of 120 patients was a larger discrepancy of INR values found. - A good correlation (r = 0.93) was also found between the prothrombin times expressed as Quick percentage values as assessed with both thromboplastins in 122 patients not orally anticoagulated. In 82 cases a "normal" prothrombin time (Quick greater than or equal to 70%) and in 33 cases a "subnormal/diminished" percentage value (Quick less than 70%) was obtained with both thromboplastins. In only 7 out of 122 plasma samples was the Quick percentage normal with one and subnormal with the other reagent. - The good conformity of the INR values measured with two thromboplastins of differing species but similar sensitivity (International Sensitivity Index [ISI] = 1.14 for CRB-Thromboplastin, and = 1.10 for Thromborel S) supports the recommendation by the World Health Organization that the intensity of oral anticoagulation be expressed in terms of INR. Whether INRs obtained with thromboplastins of largely differing ISIs show sufficient conformity will need to be assessed by further prospective studies.

[Measurement of bleeding time and study of thrombocyte aggregation. Standardization of methods, normal values and results in patients with suspected hemorrhagic diathesis]. / Messung der Blutungszeit und Untersuchung der Thrombozytenaggregation. Standardisierung der Methoden, Normalwerte und Resultate bei Patienten mit Verdacht auf hämorrhagische Diathese.

Bleeding time measurement and investigation of platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma (PRP) are routine procedures for the diagnosis of defects in primary hemostasis. These tests are subject to methodological difficulties and should be well standardized in each individual laboratory. - In the present study, bleeding time was measured using the Simplate II device in 40 normal subjects. Furthermore, platelet aggregation in PRP induced by ADP, collagen, arachidonate, and ristocetin was examined. 26 patients referred for investigation of a suspected mild bleeding disorder, who had a normal plasmatic coagulation profile, a normal von Willebrand factor activity, and a normal platelet count, were similarly studied. - Based on the reference values established in the 40 normal subjects, platelet aggregation was found to be pathologic in 7 patients and normal in 12. In 7 patients platelet aggregation was considered to be borderline-pathologic as defined by the range of platelet aggregability found in the 10% of our normal subjects showing the weakest aggregation responses. Bleeding time was prolonged in only 3 patients whereas it was normal in the remaining 23. There was strong evidence of a hemostatic defect as assessed by systematic patient history in 6 out of 7 patients with pathologic platelet aggregation, but in only 3 out of 19 showing normal or borderline-pathologic aggregation. - Pathologic platelet aggregation, therefore, represents not only an abnormal laboratory finding but is likely to be associated with a hemorrhagic diathesis. Platelet aggregation studies do not permit etiologic diagnosis of the thrombocytopathy except for the well-defined membrane glycoprotein deficiencies. The bleeding time appeared to be of low sensitivity for the diagnosis of mild platelet dysfunction.

Virus-inactivated factor VIII concentrate prevents postoperative bleeding in a patient with von Willebrand's disease.

A patient with von Willebrand's disease underwent cholecystectomy after replacement therapy with a factor VIII concentrate that had been sterilized by treatment with tri(n-butyl)phosphate and Tween 80. The patient received 53 units of factor VIII per kg of body weight prior to operation. In addition, a total of 280 units of factor VIII per kg was infused within 10 days after operation. This replacement regimen prevented excessive bleeding during surgery and supported normal hemostasis during the postoperative period. Analysis of the multimeric pattern and the functional assay of von Willebrand factor in factor VIII concentrates indicated that the procedures utilized for virus inactivation had no significant deleterious effect upon the quality of von Willebrand factor molecules.