BACKGROUND AND AIM The influenza A virus (IAV) is an important zoonotic pathogen with infections also reported in dogs. IAV infections can be detected through the presence of antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum is the only standard sample source; however, there is no information on the availability of other sample sources for IAV antibody detection in dogs. Com...

A simple standardized procedure for the determination of staphylocoagulase, based on thrombin clotting time measurement with euglobulin, has been developed. A standard euglobulin solution containing 0.25% of clottable protein, 0.01 M epsilon-aminocaproic acid, and 20 units of heparin per ml is employed. One unit of staphylocoagulase is defined as the amount of the enzyme which clots this standa...

The use of in vitro dosing assays for heparin and protamine during cardiac surgery has significantly improved overall postoperative patient outcome. The HEMOCHRON RxDx system (International Technidyne Corp, Edison, NJ) is widely used for anticoagulation management. Based on a series of consecutive in vitro tests, the RxDx system is used to quantify the patient’s heparin requirement (heparin res...

For chronic central venous dialysis catheters, the standard method for maintaining catheter patency between treatments is to instill (lock) catheters with 5000 - 10 000 units of heparin in each lumen. Sodium citrate (citrate) is an anticoagulant with intrinsic antibacterial activity (at 20% concentration or higher). Citrate has only transient anticoagulant effects if accidentally infused to the...

BACKGROUND Apart from its established effects on vessel patency after percutaneous coronary revascularization, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade by abciximab may improve myocardial perfusion by inhibition of the interaction of platelets and platelet aggregates with the microvasculature. We investigated the effect of abciximab with stent placement in acute myocardial infarction. METHODS ...

Background—In the ESSENCE trial, subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin) reduced the 30-day incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and recurrent angina relative to intravenous unfractionated heparin in 3171 patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction). No increase in major bleeding was seen. Methods and Results—Of the 936 ESSENCE...

BACKGROUND There is no consensus on the management of anticoagulation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is currently burdened by a high rate of hemostatic complications, possibly associated with inadequate monitoring of heparin anticoagulation. This study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of an anticoagulation protocol for patients undergoing ECMO based on thromboe...

BACKGROUND Activated clotting time (ACT) is widely used to guide unfractionated heparin dosing during percutaneous coronary intervention. However, its value in predicting complications is controversial in the modern era. We sought to examine the relationship between ACT and outcomes in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS AND RESULTS In the Fondaparinux With Unfr...

OBJECTIVE To assess compliance with basic and actionable indicators in relation to prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and safe use of heparin. DESIGN We built, pilot tested and measured a set of evidence-based structure (existence of guidelines) and process (risk assessment for VTE, and dose adjustment to patient weight and renal function when prescribing heparin) indicators in a nati...

Anticoagulation monitoring in pediatric patients can be problematic because of the immaturity of the coagulation system in this population. In addition, the hemodilution required to place a small patient on bypass can interfere with standard monitoring methods. In this institution, the Hemochron Jr. ACT (activated clotting time)+ assay has been the standard of care for anticoagulation monitorin...