College of American Pathologists Conference XXXI on laboratory monitoring of anticoagulant therapy: the clinical use and laboratory monitoring of low-molecular-weight heparin, danaparoid, hirudin and related compounds, and argatroban.

OBJECTIVE

To review the role of the laboratory in monitoring therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin, danaparoid, hirudin, and argatroban, as reflected in the medical literature and the consensus opinion of recognized experts in the field.

DATA SOURCES

Review of the medical literature and current clinical practice by a panel of 6 international experts in the field of anticoagulant therapy.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The experts made an extensive review of the published literature and prepared a draft manuscript, which included preliminary recommendations. The draft manuscript was circulated to participants in the College of American Pathologists Conference XXXI on Laboratory Monitoring of Anticoagulant Therapy prior to the conference. The manuscript and recommendations were then presented at the Conference for discussion. Recommendations were accepted if a consensus of the 26 experts attending the Conference was reached. The results of the discussion were used to revise the manuscript into its final form.

CONCLUSIONS

This report reviews the mechanism of action and potential uses of these newer anticoagulant agents. General guidelines for monitoring these agents and 9 specific recommendations for laboratory monitoring of low-molecular-weight heparin and danaparoid are provided, along with citation of the appropriate supporting literature. Issues for which a consensus was not reached at the Conference are also discussed.