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Updated: Jan 4, 2026

In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices
Published on: March 21, 2025
Potential usefulness of activated charcoal (DOAC remove®) for dRVVT testing in patients receiving Direct Oral
Georges Jourdi1, Maxime Delrue2, Alain Stepanian2
1Université de Paris, U1140 Innovative Therapies in Haemostasis, INSERM, F-75006 Paris, France; Service d'Hématologie Biologique, AP-HP, Cochin Hospital, F-75014 Paris, France.
Introduction:
Lupus Anticoagulant testing using dilute Russell Viper Venom Time (dRVVT) is challenging in patients receiving Direct Oral AntiCoagulants (DOAC) due to potential false positive results. In a multicenter study, we evaluated the in vitro removal of DOAC by activated charcoal (DOAC remove®), allowing reliable dRVVT testing.
Materials And Methods:
Patient samples were analyzed before and after treatment with DOAC remove®: 49 apixaban, 48 rivaroxaban, 24 dabigatran and 30 none. DOAC plasma concentrations were measured using anti-Xa or diluted thrombin time assays. In a subset of 28 samples, DOAC concentrations were also measured using HPLC-MS/MS following treatment with DOAC remove®. DRVVT was performed using STA-Staclot dRVVT Screen®/Confirm® (Stago) or LAC-Screening®/Confirmation® (Siemens).
Results:
Baseline median [min-max] concentrations were 94 [<20-479] for apixaban, 107 [<20-501] for rivaroxaban and 135 ng/mL [<20-792] for dabigatran; dRVVT screen ratio/confirm ratio was positive in 47, 90 and 42% of apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran samples. Treatment with DOAC remove® did not affect dRVVT results in non-DOAC patients while it resulted in DOAC concentrations <20 ng/mL in 82, 98 and 100% of samples, respectively. Concentrations were <5 ng/mL with HPLC-MS/MS in 5 out of 10, 8 out of 10 and 7 out of 8 samples, respectively. DOAC remove® corrected DOAC interference with dRVVT assays in 76, 85 and 95% of the patients, respectively.
Conclusion:
For dRVVT testing in DOAC patients, we suggest the use of DOAC remove® for every rivaroxaban sample, whereas it might only be used in positive apixaban and dabigatran samples. A residual DOAC interference cannot be ruled out in case of persisting dRVVT positive results after treatment with DOAC remove®.
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