Home Page

The coagulation section analyses approximately 2,200 samples daily for patients requiring clotting screens or anticoagulation monitoring. Specialised investigations are also carried out for thrombotic disorders, like lupus anticoagulant, and thrombophilia screening, also for bleeding disorders like haemophilia and Von Willebrands disease. Investigations for platelet function are also available.

All requests for these specialised investigations must be discussed with a Haematologist, preferably Dr Thomas (ext.33117).

Dr Burrows is a Consultant Haematologist with an interest in  haemostasis.

 

 

Work may be referred to:

• Oxford haemophilia and thrombosis Centre for Von Willebrand multimers, F VIII binding assays and collagen binding assays; and platelet nucleotides

• Haemophilia centre and haemostasis unit, Viapath, for Protein C antigen, Total protein S,

• University Hospitals Bristol, for VWF cleaving protease (ADAMTS13);

• NHS-BT Filton, for confirmation of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia

Anticoagulant therapy 

Anticoagulant therapy is generally controlled by the patient’s General Practitioner. A haemostasis clinic is run by Dr Thomas, which can accommodate other referrals for specific problems.

To make an appointment or seek advice contact Dr Thomas’ secretary at Derriford Hospital – Tel Ext: 30126. There is also a near patient testing facility for INRs within the DVT clinic, for those with very poor venous access. Requests for details about these should be directed to Dr Thomas.

It is imperative that patients admitted to hospital whilst taking warfarin, or those who are commenced on warfarin whilst an in-patient, should have a stable INR prior to discharge. Also, the GP fax-back sheet should be sent to GP practices on discharge of patients. This will inform GPs of: any changes in warfarin dose, concomitant medication, most recent INR (including INR range) and when next test is required.

Initiation of warfarin anticoagulation should be according to the nomogram in the BSH anticoagulation guidelines. Non-urgent introduction of anticoagulation (eg for patients in AF in the community) may be organized by giving low dose warfarin (3-5mg) and checking INR after first 3-5 doses.

When using the DOAC anticoagulants, baseline FBC, clotting screen, U&E and LFT should be done before starting. A facility exists to measure levels when required.

Anticoagulant control with vit K antagonists (VKA)

Guidelines on anticoagulants were published in the British Journal of Haematology 1998; 101: 374-387 and updated in 2005 (British Journal of Haematology 2005; 132: 277-285). The target INR should be a single figure. If the INR is within 0.5 of the target, generally, no dose change should be made.

There are many drug interactions with warfarin, details of which can be found in the British National Formulary. It is probably safest to assume that all drugs interact with warfarin and to organise a repeat INR within 3-5 days of any drug change.

Target INRs for various indications are listed below.

Please remember to check baseline clotting screen, platelet count and LFT’s before starting any anticoagulants

Indications for anticoagulation, target INR, duration of treatment with VKA.

Reference: British Society for Haematology1 www.b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/

Venous thromboembolic disease 

• First episode of calf DVT after clear precipitating risk factor: 

  INR 2.5, 6-12 weeks, if the risk factor ceases to exist. Reassess patient with regard to recovery and to additional event, eg. surgery, trauma or pregnancy.

  Watch for other predisposing factors before stopping treatment.

• First PE or proximal DVT when spontaneous and no other risks for VTE:

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0): May require long-term anticoagulation. Needs referral to haematology Consultant (Dr Thomas) to make decision at 3 months of O.A.T. Risk of recurrent VTE highest in first 6 weeks of treatment. Risk of bleeding is highest in first month.

• First spontaneous DVT confined to calf and no persisting risk factors: 

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0), 3 months. Some doctors do not treat asymptomatic calf DVT but patient should be monitored very carefully in this case. Symptomatic calf DVT has < 25% risk of extension and PE if untreated.

• First DVT or PE in patient at high risk of recurrence with persisting risk factor (s):

  eg active cancer, spontaneous proximal DVT or PE, or considerable immobility, consider long-term O.A.T. or specialist referral.

• Recurrent DVT or PE off anticoagulants:

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0). Consider long-term or consider specialist referral at 3 months to Haematology (Dr Thomas)

• Recurrent DVT or PE on anticoagulants (with therapeutic INR):

  INR 3.5 (3.0-4.0). Consider long-term or specialist referral.

• Thrombosis with Antiphospholipid Antibody: 

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0) Consider long-term anticoagulation. Consider specialist referral.

Atrial fibrillation

• Non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation, congenital heart disease and thyrotoxicosis (CHA₂DS₂VASc >1): 

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0), Consider long-term anticoagulation.

• AF with rheumatic heart disease: 

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0), Consider long-term anticoagulation. See notes on AF below.

• Cardioversion for AF: 

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0) For 3 weeks before and 4 weeks after cardioversion.

Heart valve prostheses

• Bioprosthetic valves aortic:

  Not indicated, unless in AF or history of systemic embolism. Consider long-term (2.0-3.0) anticoagulation if atrial or intracardiac thrombus.or atrial fibrillation. Mitral valve replacement requires anticoagulation for 3 months INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0):

  Long term if embolic history or intracardiac thrombus. Consider aspirin if not on oral anticoagulant

• Mechanical prosthetic valves: 

  Intensity depends on the valve type and position. Aortic: 2.5 (2.0-3.0), Mitral: 3.5 (3.0-4.0) Long-term. Risk of thrombosis is greater for valves in mitral position than for aortic. Caged valves confer the greatest risk for thrombosis and always require a target INR of 3.5 (3.0-4.0).

Other cardiac disease 

• Rheumatic mitral valve disease:

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0), Long-term. High risk of stroke even if no AF.

• Mural thrombus: 

  INR 2.5 (2.0-3.0), 3 months if after MI.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy :

  2.5 Long-term.(2.0-3.0)

NB VTE in cancer patients:

Serious consideration should be given to the use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in patients with cancer who experience a venous thrombotic event for 6 months, initially. There is evidence that Warfarin is inferior to LMWH in treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. Some consideration for use of DOAC in those who are needle phobic.

The following are not indications for anticoagulation 

Ischaemic stroke: No evidence to support use of oral anticoagulants in completed stroke

unless patient has atrial fibrillation or a potential cardiac source of embolism (see ‘contraindications’ below). Consider aspirin or Clopidogrel as secondary prophylaxis.

Atrial fibrillation: Low risk patients (CHADS₂ VASC <1, under 65, no diabetes, no stroke or TIA, no hypertension or other antiplatelet agent e.g clopidogrel, normal LV function) Treat with aspirin alone.

Peripheral arterial thrombosis and grafts: Consider aspirin or clopidogrel as secondary prophylaxis.

Coronary artery thrombosis:

Consider aspirin or Clopidogrel as secondary prophylaxis (75 mg daily for both). Insufficient evidence to justify full oral anticoagulation unless mural thrombus detected

Coronary artery graft thrombosis: Consider aspirin and/or clopidogrel as secondary prophylaxis. Incidence of vein graft occlusion in first month is 10-20% – this is reduced by aspirin but not warfarin.

Coronary angioplasty and coronary stents: Consider aspirin and clopidogrel as first-line therapy for drug-eluting stents.

Raised INR guidance: Reference 1. British Journal of Haematology 1998, 101 374-387. Reference2. British Journal of Haematology 2000, 109 704-715.

Recommendations for management of bleeding and excessive anticoagulation
3.0 < INR < 6.9 (target INR 2.5)   4.5 < INR < 6.9 (target INR 3.5)    No bleeding	1. Reduce warfarin dose or stop   2. Restart warfarin when INR < 5.0*   3. Consider giving oral vitamin K* if at increased risk for bleeding, e.g. old age, previous gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease
INR > 7.0	1. Stop warfarin   2. Restart warfarin when INR < 5.0   3. No bleeding or minor bleeding give vitamin K (oral)* or 0.5-1 mg of vitamin K (iv)
Major bleeding (whatever INR)	1. Stop warfarin 2. Use Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) available form Blood bank, according to a schedule (depending on INR and weight). Discuss with haematologist. 3. Give 5 mg of vitamin K (i.v.) -available from Ward or Pharmacist

Anticoagulation with DOACS

There are five direct-acting oral anticoagulants, recently licenced and NICE approved. One of these, Dabigatran, is an anti-thrombin. The other four (Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, Edoxaban and Betrixaban) are anti-X_a drugs.

They have variable renal clearance (ranging from 70% for Dabigatran to 25% for Apixaban). For that reason, it is imperative that renal function is measured before starting the drugs and at varying times during their use. Dabigatran should not be used with EGFR < 30ml/min or <15 ml/min for the anti – X_a drugs.

Because of their more predictable pharmacokinetics, generally the DOACs do not require monitoring. However, in some clinical situations e.g requiring urgent surgery or at extremes of weight, they may. The dilute thrombin time measures Dabigatran and anti- X_alevels (using specific standards) measures the anti- X_a drugs.

Anticoagulation during pregnancy 

Women who become pregnant whilst on warfarin will need to be transferred to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) immediately – as warfarin is teratrogenic in 4% of pregnancies during 1st trimester (6-12 weeks). Similarly, if using a DOAC, this should be discontinued and switched to LMWH.

In general, initial anticoagulation is using LMWH (either for prophylaxis, or weight adjusted dose for treatment, recently changed to once daily) depending on indication, by subcutaneous injection. Patients are supervised by the Maternity  Day Assessment Ward and anti- X_a levels are checked approximately monthly to ensure therapeutic compliance.

This service can be initiated through Dr. Yin Thi or Dr Thomas – Tel Ext: 32729 or 33117 or by bleep through hospital switchboard.

Investigation of patients with possible venous thromboembolism 

If there is clinical suspicion of a DVT or PE then a D-Dimer sample should be sent to the laboratory according to DVT management pathway. D-Dimer is an extremely sensitive test with a negative predictive value for DVT/PE in excess of 96%, (<0.5 being the cut off value). This should be used together with a clinical prediction score e.g. ‘Wells’.  If low Wells score and negative D-Dimer, the patient can be discharged. Remember to check clotting screen, platelet count, urea & electrolytes, and LFT at baseline before commencing any anticoagulants. Use of the nurse-led DVT pathway (ext 31978) should be encouraged for probable DVT.

Investigation of patients for thrombophilia 

Generally, inherited thrombophilia does not increase the risk for recurrent venous thrombosis, therefore should not be requested following an event unless there is a strong family history in those less than 40 years . Also, thrombophilia testing should not be requested following an acute VTE event as it will be difficult to interpret the results. Also, the result will not influence the intensity or duration of anticoagulation. Inherited thrombophilia does not influence the risk of arterial thrombosis. In young patients (age <50 years) samples for Lupus anticoagulation or Anticardiolipin antibodies may be considered.

Thrombophilia samples should not be taken when patients are on anticoagulation, oral contraception, HRT or when pregnant, for similar reasons.

Inherited thrombophilia in absence of thrombosis: give prophylaxis in high risk situations. Prophylaxis should be considered in pregnancy even in the absence of previous thrombosis because of high risk situations such as 1^st degree family members.

Decisions regarding the need to perform thrombophilia testing should always be vetted by a senior Haematologist – preferably Dr Thomas.

Coagulation problems can be discussed with Dr Thomas, or the on-call Consultant Haematologist – available on bleep via Derriford Hospital Switchboard

Guidelines for anticoagulation control by point of care testing

Introduction

INR monitoring is an integral part of care for the VKA anticoagulated patient with vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin) and must be performed according to set criteria. Historically, this has involved taking intravenous (IV) blood samples and performing an INR using hospital-based Coagulation machines. Locally, the GP’s manage oral anticoagulation control according to shared-care guidelines originating from Derriford Hospital. Inevitably, there will be difficulties in obtaining IV samples in some, along with geographic, work and social reasons together with increasing paediatric numbers. Clearly, POCT for control of Warfarin will become more necessary.

The Royal College of Pathology (RCPath) guidance in this respect stipulates that laboratories should take the lead regarding all POCT hence the need for this guideline.

Scope

Paediatric patients: 

• In GP practice

• In children’s day beds, Derriford Hospital

Adult patients:

• In GP practice

• Nurse-led DVT clinic

• Birch Ward, Derriford Hospital

Main Exclusion Criteria 

• Patient on short-term Warfarin only

• Inability to fund initial purchase of Coagulometer or running costs

• Anticoagulation control not established

• User not fully trained

Training

Nurses/Phlebotomists

• Read the training guide for the coagulometer and watch video if available

• Assessment by designated person from company initially or by previously trained Health Professional

• Documented acquaintance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

• Assessed by suitably trained Health-care Professional designated as trainer

Definition of self-testing by patient 

(NB: patient self-testing is not currently within the remit of UHPNT POCT)

Patient is responsible for testing their INR at home using capillary blood sampling and a POCT device.

Dosing of Warfarin and frequency of testing advised by Health-care Professional clinically responsible for their management.

Internal Quality Control (IQC), external Quality Assurance (EQA) and general maintenance of the NPT device can be the responsibility of either the patient or the Health-care Professional when used in a clinical setting.

Follow-up 

Agreed by responsible Clinician on an individual basis but should be at least six monthly.

Documentation 

INR results, dates, QC results and problems must be documented. The yellow anticoagulation record book may be used for this purpose

Advice, support and clinical responsibility 

INR test performed on specific weekday and time agreed with Healthcare professional responsible, to allow easy access for advice as necessary. All contacts, including telephone calls, should be documented in patient notes or specified anticoagulation sheets.

Internal QC (IQC)

The frequency of IQC performance is defined in the relevant SOP.

This test must also be applied with every new box of test strips, each new batch of test strips, any unusual result obtained or unusual occurrence which may affect result e.g. dropping the device.

External QC (EQA)

The INR result from the POCT system should be compared to an IV sample INR whenever the INR is >4.0 or <2.0.

Every 10th INR result from the POCT device should be tested in duplicate with the laboratory method from IV sample.

Participation in formal EQA scheme (NEQAS) is required for those POCT machines held in the Hospital and GP practices. Patients are encouraged to apply for inclusion in the scheme. Details obtained from the Haemostasis laboratory (ext.52388 Derriford).

NB It is the responsibility of users (healthcare professional) to carefully document results of EQA and IQC. Advice should be sought either from the lab if the problem is apparent in the community.

POCT devices

For community-based POCT devices, it is the responsibility of the GP practice to order supplies of equipment directly from the manufacturer. Agreement from local CCG needed.

Test strips and IQC samples should be refrigerated (2-8 degrees Centigrade).

Disposal of waste & equipment 

Healthcare professionals should dispose of needles safely in appropriate container and other contaminated material wrapped up carefully and placed in usual waste bin. Sharps boxes should be used and disposed of in an approved manner.

 

Coagulation Contact: 

Robin Ellis  robinellis1@nhs.net

Reviewed December 2023
This page will be updated June 2024