Measurement of functional fibrinogen levels using the Thrombelastograph.
OBJECTIVE
To validate a Thromboelastograph (Haemoscope Corporation, Niles, IL) assay for functional fibrinogen.


METHODS
Correlation study of the Thromboelastograph assay with two conventional fibrinogen assays by the standard Clauss method.


METHODS
Research laboratory of a university medical center.


METHODS
Blood samples were obtained from 19 healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
Thromboelastograph assays, using heparinized whole blood from 19 healthy donors, indicated that reptilase-XIIIa mixture (Activatorf)-generated clot shear elasticity in dynes per square centimeter (Gf) correlated with fibrinogen (mg/dL). Blood from four donors was used to define the contribution of hematocrit (Hct) to Gf by titration with platelet-rich plasma. The Gf versus Hct gave linear correlations (r2 = 0.746) with Gf = 1258 - 17.8 x % Hct. A commercial collection of 19 normal, 10 borderline, and one deficient for functional fibrinogen-citrated plasmas was assayed for Gf after recalcification using Activatorf. Of the 30 plasma samples, four were from factor X- or factor VII-deficient donors and one was from a coumadin-treated donor. There was a linear correlation of Activatorf Gf with functional fibrinogen (r2 = 0.940) with Gf = -730 + 9.21 x fibrinogen (mg/dL).


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombelastography with Activatorf may be used to determine fibrinogen levels in whole blood.
Carroll
Roger C
RC
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, 1924 Alcoa Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA. rccarrol1@mc.utmck.edu <rccarrol1@mc.utmck.edu>
Craft
Robert M
RM
Chavez
Jack J
JJ
Snider
Carolyn C
CC
Kirby
Ryan K
RK
Cohen
Eli
E
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood; D004548:Elasticity; D005167:Factor VII / Q000502:physiology; D005170:Factor X / Q000502:physiology; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016014:Linear Models; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000502:physiology; D013916:Thrombelastography
D005167:Factor VII; D005170:Factor X; D005340:Fibrinogen