The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single...

Thrombin and plasmin both play a central role in hemostasis, regulating coagulation and fibrinolysis, respectively. Conventional hemostatic assays often focus on isolated components or limited phases of hemostasis; for example, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time evaluate only the initiation of fibrin formation, while factor activity assays assess the function of individual coagulation factors. Although valuable, these assays lack a comprehensive view of the overall process of secondary hemostasis and fibrinolysis, which unfolds dynamically over time. The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay (NHA) addresses this limitation by enabling simultaneous, time-resolved measurement of thrombin and plasmin generation in a single microplate well. Using two synthetic fluorogenic substrates with distinct excitation and emission spectra and no cross-reactivity, the assay allows accurate quantification of both enzymes in parallel. Hemostasis is initiated in platelet-poor plasma using tissue factor, calcium and tissue-type plasminogen activator, and fluorescence is recorded every 30 s over 70 min at 37 °C. Enzyme activity curves are generated using calibration standards, from which parameters such as lag time, thrombin potential, fibrin lysis time, and plasmin peak height are derived. The assay reliably captures simultaneous thrombin and plasmin generation with good intra- and inter-assay precision, and detects modulation of coagulation and fibrinolysis by effectors such as heparin, activated protein C, and epsilon-aminocaproic acid. In clinical samples, significantly reduced thrombin generation was observed in patients with coagulation factor deficiencies, while patients with fibrinolytic disorders showed elevated plasmin generation profiles. By combining thrombin and plasmin generation measurements, the NHA provides a comprehensive insight into the hemostatic balance beyond conventional assays. This integrated approach holds promise for research and clinical applications, such as the characterization of hemostatic phenotypes, assessment of bleeding and thrombotic risk, and monitoring of targeted therapeutic interventions. This protocol outlines the NHA procedure that aims to enhance the understanding and assessment of hemostatic balance.