Chronometric vs. Structural Hypercoagulability

Prolonged tourniquet stasis induced by venepuncture can lead to the release of the plasma of cell lysis products, as well as tissue factor (TF), impairing the quality of coagulation test results. The accidental presence of TF in vitro can trigger the coagulation mechanism, generating a false decrease in prothrombin time (PT). Background and Objectives: Identification of short PT tests below the normal reference value that could suggest a situation of hypercoagulability. The study aimed to compare the results of the shortened PT tests at their first determination with the eventual correction following duplication of the analysis from the same sample. Materials and methods: Identification of the shortened PT tests has been carried out for a period of 4 months, upon 544 coagulation samples referred to the Hematology department of Sf. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital from Iasi, Romania. Results: Out of the 544 samples of which the results indicated a state of hypercoagulability, by repeating the determination from the same sample, for 200 (36.76%) PT tests (p = 0.001) the value was corrected, falling within the normal reference range. For 344 (63.24%) tests, the results suggested a situation of hypercoagulability. Conclusions: In order to guarantee the highest quality of the laboratory services, a proper interpretation and report of the patients’ results must be congruent and harmoniously associated to the actual clinical condition of the patient. Duplication of the PT determination from the same sample would exclude situations of false hypercoagulability and would provide significant improvement for the patient’s safety.