MEMORANDUM Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital Physicians and Nursing Staff Dr. Wendy McLaughlin, MD - Laboratory Medical Director, BBMC Dr. Lucyna Boyle, MD – Laboratory Medical Director, BHH July 18, 2011 SUBJECT: New Laboratory Tests for Determining Patient Response to Plavix or Aspirin On July 21st, 2011, the clinical laboratory will begin offering two new tests, the VerifyNow P2Y12 Assay and the VerifyNow Aspirin Assay. These assays are whole blood tests for the evaluation of platelet function in patients on aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitors such as Plavix. These tests could benefit patients particularly undergoing cardiac surgery. Surgical Screen: Patients administered anti-platelet therapies are at risk of increased bleeding during the perioperative period. It is recommended that patients on Plavix or aspirin undergoing surgery be tested to limit preoperative bleeding risks. Test results may aid in decisions to initiate or delay surgery, and to make preparations for additional blood product use if surgery cannot be postponed. P2Y12 Platelet Function Test Test results are reported in P2Y12 % Inhibition and Reaction Units (PRU)
o Post Drug Results: Lower PRU levels and/or higher % inhibition are associated with expected anti-
Results could be affected by the following:
Low hematocrit values or low platelet count. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors – ReoPro, Aggrastat, and Integrilin. Patients who have been administered Aggrastat
or Integrilin within two days or ReoPro within two weeks should not be tested.
Aspirin Platelet Function Test (APFT) Test results are reported in Aspirin Reaction Units (ARU)
350 - 550 ARU - Patient receiving therapeutic effect of aspirin.
> 550 - Associated with Aspirin resistance or decreased effect of aspirin.
Results could be affected by the following:
NSAID – Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Indocin, Feldene, NSAIDs have been documented to inhibit
platelet function, resulting in decreased ARU values if taken within 24 hours. However, if an NSAID is ingested at the same time as aspirin, this may result in a higher ARU than with aspirin alone.
G IIb/IIIa inhibitors – ReoPro, Aggrastat, and Integrilin. Patients who have been administered Aggrastat or
Integrilin within two days, or ReoPro within two weeks, should not be tested.
These tests can be ordered via laboratory mnemonics P2Y12 for Platelet Function Test or APFT for Aspirin Platelet Function Test. Our team of phlebotomists has been trained in the proper procurement of this specimen. Testing is usually completed within 45 minutes of receipt of specimen in the lab. Should you have any questions about these assays please contact the laboratory at 480-321-4215. The laboratory is committed to EXCELLENCE in quality testing for your patients.
THE NEWSLETTER Datchet Health Centre JUNE 2012 Patient Participation Group Editor’s note Last March, in my first newsletter, I said that comments or questions will be welcomed if left, in writing, at Reception. Although there have been none, I have been asked if letters to the editor, intended for publication, are acceptable. My reply is “Of course”, provided that my decisio
Editorial I have just returned from the 7th Hong Kongseat of the Tibetan Government. It is situated onOphthalmological Symposium.This meeting was a bigMarpo Ri hill, 130 metres above the Lhasa valley. success with over 800 delegates, including theyounger generation of Ophthalmic Surgeons fromThe Potala Palace rises a further 170 metres andmainland China, who have a relativ
MEMORANDUM