Anti-activated factor II assay for monitoring unfractionated heparin in children: results of the HEARTCAT study.

Unlabelled: Essentials Unfractionated heparin has variable effects in children and therefore, monitoring is essential. A randomized controlled trial substudy investigating an anti-IIa assay in children was conducted. Anti-IIa values are lower in younger children, an effect more pronounced at low-dose heparin.

Monitoring unfractionated heparin in children: a parallel-cohort randomized controlled trial comparing 2 dose protocols.

Monitoring unfractionated heparin (UFH) is crucial to prevent over- or under-anticoagulation. However, the optimal parameters for monitoring UFH in children are not well established. The study objectives were to investigate (1) the relationship between UFH dose and its anticoagulant effect as assessed by anti-Xa, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and activated clotting time (ACT); (2) other factors influencing UFH effect; (3) the agreement between the assays; and (4) the association between UFH effect and clinical outcome.

Reptilase time (RT).

The reptilase time is a functional plasma clotting assay, which is based on the enzymatic activity of batroxobin. By specifically cleaving fibrinogen A from fibrinogen, batroxobin leads to the formation of a stable fibrin clot. The time, starting from the addition of batroxobin to the plasma sample, until clot formation is the reptilase time and is given in seconds.