Laboratory methods in the haemostatic laboratory.

Thromb Haemost 2006; 96: 545–6 The current theme issue ofThrombosis and Haemostasis focuses on a panel of important topics regarding laboratory methods in the haemostatic laboratory. There is general agreement that tailoring laboratory assays to correlate with clinical phenotypes is essential for effective coagulation monitoring. Thus, it is not surprising that during the last decade concepts for new assays more closely reflecting the situation in vivo have been developed. A good example is the development of assays for determination of the time course of thrombin generation. In this theme issue methods for measurement of thrombin generation are presented, and the importance of the determination of thrombin generation to assess disease severity and success of treatment is discussed. In addition, the role of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test for the monitoring of unfractionated heparin (UFH) therapy is revisited, and the usefulness of the ProC Global assay in women with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on hormonal therapy is critically evaluated. Furthermore, topics of standardization and quality control, especially the concept of external Quality Assessment Schemes are dealt with.