Key result
Lower antithrombin III linked to greater discrepancy between TCT- and aPTT-predicted heparin levels.
Why the study?
Discrepancies between heparin levels predicted by thrombin clotting time and activated partial thromboplastin time during heparin therapy and their relationship to antithrombin III levels were observed but not well characterized.
Observational
No
Low ATIII may drive TCT-aPTT heparin discrepancies; leaves open whether ATIII-adjusted monitoring improves safety or efficacy.
The thrombin clotting time (TCT) has been used at our institution, along with the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), for monitoring heparin therapy. We have observed that, in some patients, a discrepancy develops between the heparin levels predicted by the TCT and the aPTT with the TCT consistently predicting a lower heparin level than the aPTT. An inverse relationship was noted between the functional antithrombin III (AT-III) level and the magnitude of this discrepancy.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Delorme et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Patients on heparin therapy. Thrombin clotting time (TCT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was evaluated on Discrepancy between heparin levels predicted by TCT and aPTT. An inverse relationship was observed between functional antithrombin III levels and the magnitude of discrepancy between heparin levels predicted by TCT and aPTT.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: