The Hypercoagulable State: A Study of Clot Waveform Analysis, Thrombin Generation, and Clot Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Context.--Clot waveform analysis (CWA) is a method that provides a detailed view of the clotting process for simple clotting tests such as prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Coagulometers with optical clot detection systems capture detailed information during each...

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Published in:Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Vol. 150; no. 2; pp. 146 - 155
Main Authors: Ruberto, Maria Filomena, Marongiu, Silvia, Congiu, Terenzio, Barberini, Luigi, Conti, Maria, Porcu, Carmen, Ntoukas, Dimitrios Marco, Faa, Gavino, Marongiu, Francesco, Barcellona, Doris
Format: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: College of American Pathologists Feb2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2026
      vid: 150
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      pub: College of American Pathologists
      place: Northfield, Illinois
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        10.5858/arpa.2024-0298-OA
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        atl: The Hypercoagulable State: A Study of Clot Waveform Analysis, Thrombin Generation, and Clot Scanning Electron Microscopy.
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          Ruberto, Maria Filomena
          Marongiu, Silvia
          Congiu, Terenzio
          Barberini, Luigi
          Conti, Maria
          Porcu, Carmen
          Ntoukas, Dimitrios Marco
          Faa, Gavino
          Marongiu, Francesco
          Barcellona, Doris
        affil: Laboratory Department, Madonna del Rimedio Hospital, Oristano, Oristano, Italy
      sug:
        subj:
          Thrombosis Diagnosis
          Blood Coagulation Tests Methods
          Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Utilization
          Waveforms
          Thrombin
          Human
          Italy
          Female
          Male
          Comparative Studies
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Blood Specimen Collection
          Scales
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Kruskal-Wallis Test
          Analysis of Variance
          Post Hoc Analysis
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Context.--Clot waveform analysis (CWA) is a method that provides a detailed view of the clotting process for simple clotting tests such as prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Coagulometers with optical clot detection systems capture detailed information during each analysis, which can be used for CWA at no additional reagent expense. Objective.--To investigate (1) whether CWA can detect a hypercoagulable state in different clinical conditions similar to the thrombin generation (TG) assay, and (2) whether there are differences in the texture of in vitro clots by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Design.--PT INR (international normalized ratio), aPTT ratio, CWA, D-dimer, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (vWF:RiCo) activity, TG assays, and clot scans by SEM were obtained for 191 patients (65 with COVID-19, 51 with systemic sclerosis, 51 with liver cirrhosis, 13 with high Padua Prediction Score [PPS] without antithrombotic prophylaxis, and 11 with low PPS). A texture analysis for images acquired by SEM was performed with MATLAB software. Data are described as median and range. Results.--Compared to healthy controls, patients with COVID-19, systemic sclerosis, high PPS, and low PPS had higher levels of CWA, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and TG, as well as thicker clots by SEM. The highest values of both vWF:Ag and vWF:RiCo were found in patients with COVID-19. Conclusions.--We have shown that similar to the TG assay, CWA can detect a hypercoagulable state in patients at increased risk of clotting. Furthermore, we identified differences of in vitro clot texture by SEM that may provide further insight into the underlying pathology. Even though CWA is currently considered a research tool, it might one day become a clinically accepted test and provide value-added information to PT or aPTT testing at minimal computational costs.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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