The transfer test: a new screening procedure for thrombotic diseases

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Clinical Pathology
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Thromboelastography-based tests are crucial for assessing coagulation.
• The transfer test (TT) evaluates plasma's capacity to accelerate coagulation.
• Comparing TT with fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) and ethanol gelatin test (EGT) is important for diagnosing thrombotic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of the transfer test (TT) against fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) and ethanol gelatin test (EGT).
• To evaluate the utility of TT as a screening procedure for thrombotic diseases, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Main Methods:

• The study involved 211 patients with various diseases, 59 with confirmed DVT, and 45 with confirmed PE.
• Coagulation parameters including TT, FDP, and EGT were measured at admission.
• Deep venous thrombosis was confirmed using radiological phlebography, and pulmonary embolism using lung scintigraphy.

Main Results:

• In patients with various diseases, abnormal results were observed in 12.3% for TT, 11.3% for FDP, and 66.6% for EGT.
• In confirmed DVT patients, abnormal results were 96.6% for TT, 89.8% for FDP, and 44% for EGT.
• In confirmed PE patients, abnormal results were 97.7% for TT, 97.6% for FDP, and 88% for EGT.

Conclusions:

• The transfer test (TT) demonstrates higher sensitivity in screening for thrombotic diseases compared to FDP and EGT.
• A normal TT result serves as a strong indicator against recent thrombotic venous phenomena.
• TT shows significant potential as a reliable diagnostic tool in the clinical evaluation of thrombosis.