Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single Well
Published on: February 27, 2026
Thrombin generation: the functional role of alpha-2-macroglobulin and influence of developmental haemostasis
V Ignjatovic1, A Greenway, R Summerhayes
1Department of Clinical Haematology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. verai@unimelb.edu.au
Abstract:
Currently available chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates for endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) measurement are cleaved by both free (active) and alpha-2-macroglobulin-bound (inactive) thrombin, leading to an overestimation of ETP. Commercial methods for ETP measurement determine this using a mathematical algorithm, which assumes the contribution of alpha-2-macroglobulin to the ETP. This limits application of such methods to populations where variation in alpha-2-macroglobulin concentrations is observed, primarily children. This study examined the contribution of alpha-2-macroglobulin-bound thrombin to the ETP measurement in neonates, children and adults, to determine whether automated methods are appropriate for use in neonates and children.
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