Link to this page

Your search term(s) "Diagnostic Tests" returned 58 results.

Page 1 2 3 4 5 6    Display All

Thrombophilia: Common Questions on Laboratory Assessment and Management. IN: Hematology 2007. Washington, DC: American Society of Hematology. 2007. pp.127-135.

This chapter, from the annual Hematology 2007, answers common questions on the laboratory assessment and management of patients with thrombophilia. Thrombophilia is an inherited or acquired predisposition to thrombosis. The author reviews the clinical manifestations of thrombophilia and discusses the potential indications for thrombophilia testing, who should be tested, what tests should be requested, when testing should be performed, and how the test results affect primary prevention, acute therapy, and secondary prophylaxis of thrombosis. The author cautions that because there is no single laboratory assay or simple set of assays that will identify all thrombophilias, a battery of complex and potentially expensive assays is usually required. For patient management, the risks of recurrent venous thromboembolism must be weighed against the risks of anticoagulant-related bleeding. The author stresses the importance of reevaluating patients on anticoagulants because the need for secondary prophylaxis tends to change over time. 3 figures. 7 tables. 59 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Transfusions. Part I: Cellular Components and Plasma. IN: Seeber, P.; Shander, A. Basics of Blood Management. 1st ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing Inc. 2007. pp 243-264.

Blood management is a philosophy to improve patient outcomes by integrating all available techniques to reduce or eliminate allogeneic blood transfusions. This chapter on transfusions is from an introductory textbook on blood management, designed for clinicians in training and for clinicians who are in the early stages of their practice. The authors voice concern that current practice of blood use has remained virtually unchanged for decades and has not kept up with advances in understanding about blood. After a brief review of the history of blood transfusions, the authors discuss the reasons why physicians order blood transfusions, the contents of blood products, transfusions based on certain levels found on diagnostic tests, the benefits of transfusions, the effects of allogeneic transfusions in the human body, outcome variables, the risks and side effects of transfusions, alternatives to blood transfusions, and guidelines for red cell, platelet, or granulocyte transfusions. The chapter includes a list of objectives, a brief glossary of new terms, and a summary of key points, review questions, suggestions for further research, exercises and practice cases, homework, and a list of references. 4 tables. 92 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

TTP and ADAMTS13: When Is Testing Appropriate?. IN: Hematology 2007. Washington, DC: American Society of Hematology. 2007. pp.121-126.

This chapter, from the annual Hematology 2007, reviews the use of diagnostic tests for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a life-threatening disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and multiorgan failure. Research in the past decade has resulted in the identification of a novel metalloprotease, named ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motives), that is involved in the regulation of the size of von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWF is a major modulator of platelet adhesion and aggregation in the microcirculation. By measuring ADAMTS13 in plasma, it has been clearly shown that patients with inherited TTP have severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. The authors caution that patients with acquired TTP present with clinical and laboratory heterogeneity, and there are unequivocal cases of acquired TTP with measurable plasma levels of ADAMTS13. They recommend that to diagnose TTP in its acute phase, it is not essential to assay ADAMTS13 and find very low or undetectable plasma levels. In other words, patients presenting with normal or moderately reduced ADAMTS13 can still be appropriately diagnosed with TTP. They conclude that ADAMTS13 testing appears to be more helpful as an index of relapse than as an index of remission and mortality rates. 3 tables. 44 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Guide for Patients and Families. White Plains, NY: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 2006. 37 p.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that starts with a change to a single cell in the bone marrow. This booklet provides information about ALL for patients and their families. The booklet first describes the symptoms and signs of ALL, which are common to many other illnesses. The authors summarize the diagnostic tests that may be used to confirm ALL, including blood tests, bone marrow aspirate, and bone marrow biopsy. The booklet goes on to discuss treatment options. Treatment for children with ALL is likely to result in cure of the disease. The number of adults who have achieved remission is increasing and the length of remissions in adults has improved. Treatments are categorized as induction therapy, which is combination chemotherapy designed to induce a remission. The booklet covers treatment for Philadelphia-positive (Ph-positive) ALL, postinduction therapy, the role of allogeneic stem cell transplant, the risk and signs of infection, chemotherapy side effects, clinical trials and how to participate in them, questions to ask the physician, and coping strategies and psychosocial issues for patients and families experiencing ALL. The booklet includes a glossary of terms and a list of resources for more information, as well as a description of the goals and activities of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The booklet is illustrated with black-and-white photographs of a variety of patients and is written in nontechnical language. 1 figure. 1 table.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Bleeding Disorders Caused by Vascular and Platelet Abnormalities. IN: Hoffbrand, A.V.; Moss, P.A.H.; Pettit, J.E. Essential Haematology. 5th ed. Williston, VT: Blackwell Publishing Inc. 2006. pp. 278-289.

This chapter on bleeding disorders caused by vascular and platelet abnormalities is from a hematology textbook that offers a comprehensive look at the biochemical, physiological, and immunological processes involved in normal blood cell formation and function and the disturbances that may occur in different diseases. The authors consider vascular bleeding disorders, thrombocytopenia, disorders of platelet function, the diagnosis of platelet disorders, and the use of platelet transfusions. Vascular and platelet disorders tend to be associated with bleeding from mucous membranes and into the skin, whereas in coagulation disorders, the bleeding is often into joints or soft tissue. The chapter features full-color illustrations and photographs. 11 figures. 3 tables. 11 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Budd-Chiari Syndrome. EndoNurse. 6(3): 34. June- July 2006.

This brief article describes Budd-Chiari syndrome, a rare disorder that results from blood clots that completely or partially block the hepatic veins of the liver. Blood flow through the liver nourishes the liver, carries in substances that the liver will process, and carries away substances that the liver has produced. The author reviews the causes of the syndrome, common symptoms, diagnostic considerations, and treatment, which usually involves surgery. The most common symptom in Budd-Chiari syndrome is ascites (fluid accumulation) with accompanying pain in the upper right-hand portion of the abdomen. Blood accumulation in the liver raises the pressure in the portal vein, but the consequences may not develop for months. One consequence is the formation of dilated, twisted veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices). Diagnostic tests used to confirm Budd-Chiari syndrome include ultrasound and x-rays, liver biopsy, and hepatic vein catheterization. Surgery entails re-routing the blood flow around the clotted hepatic vein into the vena cava. If surgery is done before permanent liver damage sets in, long-term survival is possible. Liver transplantation can be an effective treatment; in some cases, however, the underlying condition that caused the syndrome excludes transplantation as an option. The author concludes that the best approach to prevention is to carefully control the blood disorders that can lead to Budd-Chiari syndrome. 3 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Classification, Diagnosis and Management of Myeloproliferative Disorders in the JAK2V617F Era. Washington, DC: American Society of Hematology. 2006. pp. 240-245.

This article reviews the classification, diagnosis, and management of myeloproliferative disorders now that JAK2V617F, has been identified. JAK2V617F , a somatic gain-of-function mutation involving the JAK2 tyrosine kinase gene, occurs in nearly all patients with polycythemia vera (PV) but also in a variable proportion of patients with other myeloid disorders. The mutation frequency is estimated at approximately 50 percent in both essential thrombocythemia (ET) and myelofibrosis (MF), up to 20 percent in certain subcategories of atypical myeloproliferative disorder (atypical MPD), less than 3 percent in de novo myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia, and 0 percent in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The author presents the case for grouping PV, ET, and MF together in a distinct MPD category that is separate from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), MDS, and atypical MPD. The author concludes that the presence of JAK2V617F strongly suggests an underlying MPD and it is therefore reasonable to consider JAK2V617F-based laboratory tests for the evaluation of polycythemia, primary thrombocytosis, unexplained leukocytosis, bone marrow fibrosis, or abdominal vein thrombosis. A patient care algorithm is also included. 1 figure. 3 tables. 41 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Erythropoiesis and General Aspects of Anaemia. IN: Hoffbrand, A.V.; Moss, P.A.H.; Pettit, J.E. Essential Haematology. 5th ed. Williston, VT: Blackwell Publishing Inc. 2006. pp. 12-27.

This chapter on erythropoiesis––red blood cell formation––is from a hematology textbook that offers a comprehensive look at the biochemical, physiological, and immunological processes involved in normal blood cell formation and function and the disturbances that may occur in different diseases. In order to carry hemoglobin into close contact with the tissues and for successful gaseous exchange, the red cell must pass repeatedly through the microcirculation on its 120-day journal of an estimated 300 miles. The red cell is a flexible biconcave disc with an ability to generate energy and to generate reducing power. The authors discuss erythropoietin, the indications for erythropoietin therapy, hemoglobin synthesis and function, the red cell, anemia, and the red cell lifespan. The section on anemia covers diagnosis, symptoms, diagnostic tests, classification, and bone marrow examination. The chapter includes full-color illustrations and photographs. 19 figures. 6 tables. 4 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Haematological Changes in Systematic Disease. IN: Hoffbrand, A.V.; Moss, P.A.H.; Pettit, J.E. Essential Haematology. 5th ed. Williston, VT: Blackwell Publishing Inc. 2006. pp. 320-336.

This chapter on hematological changes in systemic disease is from a hematology textbook that offers a comprehensive look at the biochemical, physiological, and immunological processes involved in normal blood cell formation and function and the disturbances that may occur in different diseases. The authors discuss anemia associated with chronic disorders, malignant diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure, liver disease, hypothyroidism, infections, and inborn errors of metabolism. For each condition, the authors describe the symptoms, diagnostic tests used, and treatment strategies. A final section considers nonspecific monitoring of systemic disease, including the use of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, plasma viscosity, and C-reactive protein tests. The chapter features full-color photographs and illustrations. 13 figures. 6 tables. 7 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Hematopathological Concepts and Controversies in the Diagnosis and Classification of Myelodysplastic Syndromes. IN: Hematology 2006. Washington, DC: American Society of Hematology. 2006. pp 199-204.

Although the diagnosis and classification of most cases of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are usually accomplished without difficulty, a minority of cases may pose diagnostic problems. This article explores hematopathological concepts and controversies in the diagnosis and classification of MDS. The author contends that, in many cases, the diagnostic dilemma can be solved by adhering to basic guidelines recommended for evaluation of patients suspected of having MDS, and in particular to the quality of the blood and bone marrow specimens submitted for morphologic, immunophenotypic and genetic studies. In other cases, such as patients who have hypocellular MDS or MDS with fibrosis, the criteria for making a diagnosis may be difficult if not impossible to apply. The author presents data to illustrate that the World Health Organization (WHO) classification offers a valuable tool in the diagnosis and classification of MDS. 1 table. 34 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Page 1 2 3 4 5 6    Display All

Start a new search.