Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Author Interview
Stroke, Systemic or Venous Thromboembolism
Margetić et al.
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Thromb Haemost
DOI: 10.1055/a-1753-2748
T&H
Why did you (and your colleagues) write this paper? What was its main purpose?
SANDRA MARGETIC
Rapid and accurate determination of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is still a major medical need. The main purpose was to present the results of our study that provided an evidence on the reliability of the commercial DOAC Dipstick test in urine samples for excluding the presence of clinically relevant concentrations of DOACs in circulation. Its application would improve and accelerate medical decision-making processes for assessing DOACs in emergency states and reduce the need of quantitative laboratory methods.
T&H
What are the main conclusions?
SANDRA MARGETIC
The main conclusion is that DOAC Dipstick test in urine samples represents a rapid and accurate method for excluding the presence of clinically relevant concentrations of DOACs in circulation. Results are available within 10 min only and do not require a specific laboratory equipment.
T&H
What are the paper's implications? - to the public? -to medical professionals?
SANDRA MARGETIC
The results presented in this paper will provide to medical professionals a new insight into the possibilities of clinical application of DOAC Dipstick test in urine in emergency clinical conditions. It offers an additional strategy that may help the rapid medical decision making in emergency clinical situations for patients treated with DOAC drugs. The implications of this study for the public could be expected to contribute to improve the overall medical care of patients treated with DOACs. The benefit refers also to hospitals not having available a specialized coagulation laboratory with a daily 24 hrs service for the testing.
T&H
Are the findings clinically significant? Should the findings change practice?
SANDRA MARGETIC
The findings have important clinical significance given the fact that they allow direct application of the results in everyday clinical practice. The findings suggest that DOAC Dipstick test in urine will be able to assist rapid medical decision making in clinical emergency situations such as before urgent major surgical and/or diagnostic interventions or administration of reversal agents in the major bleeding and perioperative settings. The findings presented in this paper could also be implemented in standardized protocols in urgent clinical conditions for patients treated with DOACs.
