Browsing Tag

Maternal Fetal Medicine

Hemostasis/Coagulation

New Test: Factor VIII Chromogenic Assay

Effective July 1, 2021, the Coagulation Department within the Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory will go live with an in-house, bovine based, Chromogenic Factor VIII assay.

This assay, a photometric determination of Factor VIII activity, is useful for monitoring coagulation factor replacement therapy of selected extended half-life coagulation factor replacements and Emicizumab therapy, a recombinant, monoclonal antibody that restores the function of the missing activated factor VIII by bridging FIXa and FX. The action of Emicizumab interferes with all APTT clot based and human chromogenic based assays, leading to an overestimation of Factor VIII activity.  As such, the bovine based Chromogenic Factor VIII assay is recommended.  The Chromogenic Factor VIII activity also assists in the diagnosis of hemophilia A using a 2-stage assay, particularly when the 1-stage clot based assay is normal.

For questions about this test, please refer to the laboratory catalog or use the Contact Us link above.

TEST INFORMATION

Chromogenic Factor VIII Activity – Epic Code: LAB1230831 | Interface Code: 1230831 | CPT: 85240

June 28, 2021 by
General Information, Immunochemistry

Test Update: Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies

Effective November 5th, testing for Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 antibodies (IgG and IgM, serum) will change from a reference send out test to Mayo Medical Laboratories to an in-house test available at Spectrum Health Laboratories.  This testing is useful for evaluation of patients of suspected antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

In addition, a new Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Panel will be added which allows for appropriate and complete testing for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This panel includes:

Lupus Screen

Cardiolipin IgG and IgM Antibodies

Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 IgG and IgM Antibodies

Continue Reading

November 4, 2019 by
Immunochemistry, Test Utilization

Test Utilization: Cardiolipin Antibody Testing

Listed below are the Cardiolipin Antibody tests available in the Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory (SHRL) catalog. Please review the tests and the recommended test utilities.

Cardiolipin IgA testing should not be ordered unless the patient is negative for IgM and IgG. It should be restricted to very specific clinical scenarios for the evaluation of patients with suspected APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome). Cardiolipin IgA requests will be reviewed for presence or absence of IgM/IgG testing.

Questions may be directed to Dr. David Alter by using the contact us link above.

December 6, 2017 by