title: Prognostic implications of a biphasic waveform for APTT analysis in a district general hospital.
abstract: Activated partial thromboplastin time analysis creates waveforms of light transmittance against time. An abnormal biphasic waveform has been linked to morbidity and mortality. This study aims to quantify this link for patients in a district general hospital and determine the prognostic implications of the biphasic waveform. Data were collected over a 5-month period and analysed retrospectively to ascertain rates of infection, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and death. This was followed by a one month prospective study to assess prognostic implications. Rates of infection, DIC and death were high in this study population. The biphasic waveform often pre-empts these outcomes and is shown to be useful in predicting a poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, UK. grant_mair@hotmail.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunhill
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tiplady
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom