Margaret Rheinschmidt

The Frequency of Lupus Anticoagulant in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Study of Sixty Consecutive Patients by Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, Russell Viper Venom Time, and Anticardiolipin Antibody Level

Recent reviews have suggested a higher frequency of the lupus anticoagulant or related antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (21% to 65%) than was found in earlier studies (6% to 18%). In our study of 60 consecutive patients, we found the frequency of the lupus anticoagulant by Russell viper venom time was 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 16.2 to 1.8) and by anticardiolipin antibody assay was 25% (95% Cl, 37.0 to 15.7), compared with 0% (p = not significant) and 2.5% (p = 0.002), respectively, in the normal control population. The Russell viper venom time (p = 0.0001 by t-test) and anticardiolipin antibody levels (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with presumed thrombotic events (stroke, deep venous thrombosis, and digital gangrene). No association with miscarriage or pulmonary hypertension was detected. The Russell viper venom time was more specific than the anticardiolipin antibody level in the prediction of past presumed thrombotic events, miscarriage, or pulmonary hypertension (100% compared with 84%, p = 0.01).

Recovery and life span of 111indium-radiolabeled platelets treated with pathogen inactivation with amotosalen HCl (S-59) and ultraviolet A light

BACKGROUND:  A photochemical treatment (PCT) method to inactivate pathogens in platelet concentrates has been developed. The system uses a psoralen, amotosalen HCl, coupled with ultraviolet A (UVA) illumination.

Platelets photochemically treated with amotosalen HCl and ultraviolet A light correct prolonged bleeding times in patients with thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND:  Photochemical treatment (PCT) with amotosalen HCl with ultraviolet A illumination inactivates pathogens and white blood cells in platelet (PLT) concentrates.

Prevention of transfusion of platelet components contaminated with low levels of bacteria: a comparison of bacteria culture and pathogen inactivation methods

BACKGROUND: This study compared the efficacy of bacterial detection with inactivation for reducing the risk associated with transfusion of platelet (PLT) components contaminated with low levels of bacteria.

Coagulation function in fresh-frozen plasma prepared with two photochemical treatment methods: methylene blue and amotosalen.

BACKGROUND: Pathogen inactivation of plasma intended for transfusion is now the standard of care in Belgium. Two methods for treatment of single plasma units are available: amotosalen plus ultraviolet A light and methylene blue plus visible light. This study compared the quality and stability of plasma treated with these two methods.