CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
Many articles have been published detailing VEA and its potential applications. However, to the best of my knowledge, this is the inaugural book of its kind on the subject.
The book’s first section is an overview of hemostasis physiology, conventional assays, and therapeutic agents, and the second section is devoted to the various FDA-approved viscoelastic assays. Tell us about the third section consisting of case studies and the fourth section on clinical applications.
The book’s third section is dedicated to case studies, encompassing various hemostatic disorders in which viscoelastic assays prove valuable. These case studies encompass the clinical histories of real patients, results from traditional and viscoelastic assays, as well as in-depth discussions and reviews of relevant literature. The structured case-oriented format enables authors to explore real-life scenarios and provide accurate diagnoses and interpretations of VEA in correlation with conventional coagulation tests. Each case incorporates pertinent research articles, guidelines, and expert insights, ensuring a comprehensive discussion of the most current evidence-based practices.
In the concluding portion of the book, readers will find an up-to-date exploration of the clinical applications of viscoelastic assays across multiple domains, encompassing areas such as pregnancy, trauma, cardiac surgery, liver transplantation, and neonatal care. Chapters that are dedicated to pregnancy, cardiac surgery, and liver transplantation are supplemented with relevant case studies. Furthermore, where available, transfusion algorithms based on viscoelastic assays are incorporated. Literature on the use of VEA in neonatal care is limited. Dr. Jun Teruya and his coauthors not only address the clinical application of VEA in neonatal cases but also provide valuable information regarding reference ranges in neonatal patients, addressing one of the most common questions I encounter.
What can you tell us about the more than 20 contributors to the book?
The book owes its existence to an exceptional team of authors with expertise in hemostatic disorders and VEAs, including current and former members of the CAP Hemostasis and Thrombosis Committee (Drs. Chen, Goodwin, and Teruya, and Drs. Huy Pham, James Isom, David Unold, Neil Harris, John Olson, Kristi Smock, Karen Moser, Geoffrey Wool, Mandy VanSandt) and Quality Practices Committee (Dr. Paul Lindholm). Several other pathologists, handpicked by them as coauthors (Drs. Lance Williams, Christina Barriteau, Sumire Kitahara, Erica Swenson, Rasleen Saluja, Amir Navaei, and Amit Gokhale), played a crucial role.
To address the CLIA regulatory requirements for VEA validation, I extended an invitation to Anna Hamilton, our former laboratory quality assurance manager.
Lastly, Dr. Julie Wegner, a recognized expert in the field with extensive experience in TEG and extracorporeal technology, made significant contributions to two chapters of the book.
What is most important for the reader to learn from and take away from your book?
It is my hope that readers will perceive this book as a comprehensive yet concise tool that allows them to refresh their knowledge of hemostasis, understand the FDA-approved and off-label clinical applications of their chosen VEA, and learn how to interpret different VEA results within the context of a patient’s medical history.