Cardel, Laynalee K.

AbstractIntroductionHemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL) are common pre‐analytical variables in the clinical laboratory. Understanding their effects on coagulation laboratory results is essential.MethodsHIL effects on the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), dilute Russell's viper venom time (DRVVT), thrombin time (TT), and protein C chromogenic activity (CFx) were evaluated on the ACL TOP 750 optical analyzer and STA‐R Evolution mechanical analyzer (PT and APTT only) by spiking normal donor, patient, and commercial control samples with varying concentrations of hemolysate, bilirubin, or a lipid emulsion. The relative difference or bias compared to the original results was determined.ResultsHemolysis (H) indices up to 900 mg/dL did not affect the APTT, PT, DRVVT Confirm, TT, and CFx; however, H indices above approximately 200 mg/dL resulted in a false‐negative DRVVT screen and screen/confirm ratio in samples with a lupus anticoagulant. There was an artifactual prolongation of the PT and APTT when conjugated bilirubin was dissolved in aqueous solvents and not when it was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. Icterus (I) indices up to 45 mg/dL did not result in significant (>15%) bias for all assays evaluated. The PT and APTT assays failed to produce a robust clot curve when the lipemia (L) index exceeded 6000 milliabsorbance units (mAbs), and the TT and DRVVT assays failed when the L index exceeded 3000 mAbs; the CFx assay was unaffected by lipemia.ConclusionsVerification of the manufacturer's recommended interference thresholds is important since it may avoid inappropriate instrument flagging and/ or sample rejection.

Abstract Objectives Despite more than 40 years of experience performing the Bethesda assay (BA), poor intra- and interlaboratory precision remains the biggest laboratory challenge to date. Methods The BA procedure was modeled using stochastic simulation techniques to determine the precision of the BA up to dilutions of 1:4,096, to estimate the minimum significant relative change at various inhibitor titers, and to understand the laboratory procedural variables that could significantly affect the performance of the BA at high dilutions. Results Selecting the lowest dilution tube with a residual activity closest to 25% for calculating the reported Bethesda titer (BT), using a factor activity assay with a coefficient of variation less than or equal to 7.5% in the range of 15% to 50% factor activity level, performing the factor activity measurement in replicates, and minimizing pipette volumetric error resulted in the lowest imprecision in the reported BT. The factor neutralization kinetics of the inhibitor appear to have little impact on the precision of the assay if the incubation time is greater than 90 minutes. Conclusions This in silico model will assist future laboratory efforts in standardizing the quantification of specific coagulation factor inhibitors and improving the precision of the reported results.

Abstract Background Congenital/hereditary qualitative platelet disorders (CQPD) can be classified by platelet count (eg, normal or decreased) and platelet size as well as by functional defect. Based on mean platelet volume (MPV), congenital thrombocytopenias (CT) are classified as macro-thrombocytopenias (eg, Bernard-Soulier syndrome [BSS], MYH-9 [myosin heavy chain 9, non-muscle]-associated thrombocytopenias, gray platelet syndrome [GPS], etc.); microthrombocytopenias (eg, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and variants); and those with normal platelet size. CQPDs with normal platelet count include Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT), dense granule storage pool disorders (DG-SPD) including Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), platelet secretion disorders and many others. Diagnosis has relied on platelet counting and sizing, blood smear light microscopy, platelet aggregation (agg) and platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) studies. Platelet transmission electron microscopy (PTEM) and flow cytometry can provide supplementary information and molecular analysis is also evolving. The objective of this study was to determine the roles of platelet transmission electron microscopy (PTEM) and flow cytometry in the diagnosis of CQPD and CT. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, after IRB approval, the electronic medical record system was queried for patients (pt) with a confirmed CQPD or CT seen at Mayo Clinic between 2000 and 2015. A detailed chart review was undertaken. Results 54 pt (64% female) met our study criteria; median age was 32 years (range 1 day to 81 years). 18/54 (33%) pt had macrothrombocytopenia: BSS 4 (7%); MYH-9 10 (19%); gray platelet syndrome 4 (7%). 36/54 (66%) had normal MPV: Glanzmann thrombasthenia 6 (11%); storage pool disorders including DG-SPD 10 (19%) and HPS 2 (3%), mild alpha granule deficiency 3 (6%) and York platelet syndrome 4 (7%); platelet secretion disorders 4 (7%); ANKRD26 mutation 3 (6%); congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia 1 (2%); GATA-1 mutation 1 (2%); RUNX-1 mutation 1 (2%); and Jacobsen syndrome 1 (2%). 44 pt (81%) had a positive bleeding history: epistaxis 52%, cutaneous bleeding 57%, gastrointestinal bleeding 21% and menorrhagia 54%; 10 pt (19%) had a negative bleeding history. Results of standard and esoteric platelet testing are summarized in Table 1. Diagnosis in the 10 pt with glycoprotein deficiency (BSS or GT) was established by agg; flow cytometry was confirmatory but not necessary. Of the 23 pt with SPD, 5 had a negative bleeding history; 4 pt had normal agg and PFA-100 and were diagnosed exclusively by PTEM. In this group, the abnormalities on platelet aggregation and PFA were variable and PTEM allowed for a better definition of the specific abnormalities. For MYH-9 patients, PTEM confirmed leukocyte inclusions that had already been identified on light microscopy. PTEM was the only diagnostic modality able to identify the abnormality in York platelet syndrome. In 5/54 (9%) genetic testing was necessary for diagnosis (GATA-1, ANKRD26 and RUNX-1) Conclusion In this cohort, standard platelet assays established the diagnosis in the large majority of CQPD and CT. PTEM was essential for confirmation in DG-SPD, mild alpha granule deficiency and York platelet syndrome and useful in combination with molecular testing to establish a diagnosis in selected cases. Guidance on selection of patients for such specialized testing requires further study. Table 1. Results of standard and esoteric platelet testing for 54 patients with congenital qualitative platelet disorders and/or thrombocytopenia Disorder n (%) Platelet aggregation PFA PTEM Flow cytometry Confirmation by genetics Done Abnormal Done Abnormal Done Abnormal Done Abnormal Glanzmann thrombasthenia 6 (11) 6 6 5 5 1 0 3 3 0 Bernard-Soulier syndrome & variants 4 (7) 4 4 4 4 3 0 4 4 0 MYH-9 related disorders 10 (19) 7 2 8 3 5 5 4 2 5 Dense granule deficiency and HPS 12 (22) 12 8 12 8 12 12 4 0 0 Alpha granule deficiency* 7 (13) 7 4 7 6 7 7 4 4 1 York platelet syndrome 4 (7) 1 0 1 1 4 4 1 1 0 TXA2 or PG synthesis/receptor defect 4 (7) 4 4 4 3 3 0 3 0 0 CATM 1 (2) 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 ANKRD26 3 (6) 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 GATA-1 1 (2) 0 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RUNX-1 1 (2) 1 0 1 1 0 - 0 - 1 Jacobsen syndrome 1 (2) 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 MYH-9: myosin heavy chain 9, non-muscle (MHY-9) associated thrombocytopenia, HPS: Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, TXA2: thromboxane A2, PG: prostaglandin CATM: congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. * Includes gray platelet syndrome Disclosures Pardanani: Stemline: Research Funding.