Editorial
Today we are pleased to send you our digital Newsletter which aims to provide you with some important ECAT information and relevant articles in the fields of quality control and/ or laboratory diagnosis in thrombosis & haemostasis.
The editorial board and the advisory comittee wish you a happy 2021 with new expectations.
Enjoy reading and stay healthy.
Petra van Velp
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Even though we are still living in a time of a global COVID-19 pandemic, the whole ECAT team wish you a healthy and prosperous 2021.
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COVID-19 update
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our (near) future planning remains uncertain. Within ECAT we have had to take action to reduce the risk of mutual contamination with corona virus to a minimum, so because of this and other governmental regulations, our daily staffing of the ECAT office is still restricted. We do our utmost to keep everything running as smoothly as possible, but, due to reduced staff numbers, it may take several days more before we can respond to your emails. At the moment we expect that our survey schedule (see https://www.ecat.nl/information/eqa-survey-schedule-2021) will be followed as indicated. We will let you know if there is any change in this schedule.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
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Survey Manual 2021
The Survey Manual 2021 will become available on our website by the end of February 2021.
To get access to the Survey Manual, please go to the Participant Area, select Survey Reports, Download Reports and Login. In the top menu you will see the option View Documents. Select this option.
At the bottom of the page you will see a section with useful documents. Here you can find your Survey Manual. If you wish you can download the document and store it on your own PC or print the document.
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ECAT Information:
Lupus Anticoagulant: Extra sample information survey 2020-L1
In the Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) survey 2020-L1 we used a sample of an LA-positive patient with an LA-ratio of approximately 1.6 (sample code 20.62). This was confirmed in the survey by an average screen/confirm ratio of 1.6 for dRVVT methods. This corresponds with a weak Lupus Anticoagulant.
However, in the Staclot LA confirmation test the delta correction was 44 – 56 seconds. This is high for a weak positive LA sample. Read more
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ECAT Information:
Questionnaire on diagnostic testing in VWD
In Spring this year, ECAT will distribute a questionnaire regarding laboratory diagnostics with respect to von Willebrand disease (VWD). The aim of this questionnaire is to gain insight into current approaches to diagnostic testing in VWD. Accurate diagnosis and classification of VWD patients is of vital importance in the choice of treatment, though a clear diagnosis of VWD is difficult due to the large palette of VWD subtypes. Multiple tests are needed if we are to arrive at a correct diagnosis. The questionnaire will focus in detail on the pathways followed in order to reach a final VWD diagnostic conclusion.
All participants registered in the Von Willebrand Module will be invited to participate in this questionnaire.
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ECAT Information:
Emicizumab pilot study
In Autumn 2020 a pilot study was performed on the laboratory testing of emicizumab, a bispecific factor IXa- and factor X-directed antibody. This antibody was developed to bring together factor IXa and factor X without the need of factor VIII. It is therefore able to restore blood coagulation in patients with haemophilia A. Read more
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Literature Highlights:
Recent publications
In this new section we would like to list some interesting recent publications in the field of thrombosis and haemostasis, and laboratory diagnostics. Because of the enormous number of publications we have limited our reporting to just a small list of interesting publications. It is not our intention to provide you with a complete overview. We hope this list supports you in your awareness of interesting publications.
Coagulation and COVID-19
- Fei, Y., N. Tang, H. Liu and W. Cao, Coagulation Dysfunction. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 2020; 144: 1223-1229.
- Weidmann, M.D., K. Ofori and A.J. Rai, Laboratory Biomarkers in the Management of Patients With COVID-19. Am J Clin Pathol, 2020. (DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa205) [PMC Free Full text]
- Trunfio, M., E. Salvador, D. Cabodi, L. Marinaro, C. Alcantarini, A. Gaviraghi, et al., Anti-Xa monitoring improves low-molecular-weight heparin effectiveness in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thromb Res, 2020; 196: 432-434. (DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2020.09.039) [PMC Free Full text]
- Christensen, B., E.J. Favaloro, G. Lippi and E.M. Van Cott, Hematology Laboratory Abnormalities in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Semin Thromb Hemost, 2020; 46: 845-849.
Laboratory testing
- Zabczyk, M., J. Natorska, M. Kopytek, K.P. Malinowski and A. Undas, The Effect of Direct Oral Anticoagulants on Antithrombin Activity Testing Is Abolished by DOAC-Stop in Venous Thromboembolism Patients. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 2021; 145: 99-104.
- Jenkins, P.V., A. Bowyer, C. Burgess, E. Gray, S. Kitchen, P. Murphy, et al., Laboratory coagulation tests and emicizumab treatment A United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors' Organisation guideline. Haemophilia, 2020; 26: 151-155.
Quality
- Gosselin, R.C., D. Adcock, A. Dorgalaleh, E.J. Favaloro, G. Lippi, J.M. Pego, et al., International Council for Standardization in Haematology Recommendations for Hemostasis Critical Values, Tests, and Reporting. Semin Thromb Hemost, 2020; 46: 398-409.
- van Rossum, H.H., M.N. Huijsman, C. Meeues and D. van den Broek, Optimization and validation of moving average quality control for the INR and aPTT coagulation tests. Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, 2020; 5: 27. [open acccess]
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Upcoming Events
14th Annual Congress of EAHAD
3-5 February 2021, Virtual congress,
website
GTH 2021
22-26 February 2021, Virtual congress,
website
APSTH 2021
18-22 March 2021, Virtual meeting,
website
12th ECAT participants' Meeting 2021
17-19 November 2021, Leiden, Netherlands,
website
For more events, please have a look into our Calendar.
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