Calibrating Thrombin Generation in Different Samples: Less Effort with a Less Efficient Substrate

ABSTRACT

The technique of thrombin generation has been established as a promising tool for the diagnosis, risk estimation, and perhaps prognosis of coagulation insufficiencies. Without further experimentation an indication can be obtained if a sample donor carries the risk for haemophilia or thrombophilia, either congenital or acquired. A comparison of two different thrombin generation assays is presented, demonstrating that a currently not commercially available test allows an easier and cheaper calibration than its commercial counterpart. This is achieved by employment of a less efficient but highly specific peptide substrate for thrombin and the involvement of low amounts of analyte (plasma samples).