George Fritsma

MS, MLS, Lab Scientist, Educator, Author

George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George contributed five chapters to Keohane EM, Butina MM, Mirza KM, Walenga JM: Rodak’s Hematology; Clinical Principles and Applications, Seventh Edition, 2025, Elsevier; and is the co-author of Bennett A, Fritsma GA, Ernst DJ: Quick Guide to Blood Collection Edition 2, 2016, Marques MB, Fritsma GA: Quick Guide to Coagulation Testing Edition 3, 2015, and Reddy V, Marques MB, Fritsma GA: Quick Guide to Hematology Testing Edition 2, 2013, along with three additional titles, all published by AACC Press. He is a consultant in the Laboratory Medicine Department of Pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. George is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, the International Society for Laboratory Hematology, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

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October 2026 QQ: Which is NOT an APL?

Our October 2026 Quick Question is a quiz that asks, “Which is NOT an antiphospholipid antibody?” The choices are… Anti beta-2 glycoprotein 1 Alpha-2 antiplasmin Lupus anticoagulant Antiprothrombin Anticardiolipin Antiphospholipid antibodies are acquired autoantibodies that bind phospholipid-bound proteins. Please go to the question on the right of your screen, make your selection, and add your […]

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Blog

Should We Publish Measurement Uncertainty Data?

Check with your medical library for MacDonald S. Measurement uncertainty in the hemostasis laboratory. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026;52(8):899-907. doi: 10.1055/a-2723-9166. PMID: 41109209. Abstract Clinical laboratory results are inherently uncertain. Variability arises when repeating measurements of the same sample under different conditions. Measurement uncertainty (MU) is a metrological framework that quantifies this variability, enabling clinical interpretation […]

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Validation

Historical Review Describing Hemorrhage and Thrombosis

Check with your local medical library for Franchini M, Zani M, Focosi D. Human evolution: between hemorrhage and thrombosis. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026. doi: 10.1055/a-2905-4308. PMID: 42398954. Abstract The human coagulation system has resulted from thousands of years of evolutionary pressure, finely balancing the competing risks of lethal hemorrhage and catastrophic thrombosis. There are several […]

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Bleeding Disorders

Illustrated Review: History of Anticoagulant Pharmacology

Here’s an open-access illustrated review that includes FXI and FXII inhibitors currently in development: Wichaiyo S. Pharmacology of anticoagulants: from heparin to novel target-specific agents. J Thromb Haemost. 2026:S1538-7836(26)00486-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2026.08.001. PMID: 42567362. Abstract Anticoagulants are the drugs of choice for the management of various thromboembolic disorders affecting both arteries and veins. This review delineates […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

Laboratory Diagnostics for Thrombosis and Hemostasis Testing

Here is a detailed introduction to the fifth “Seminars in Hemostasis and Thrombosis” issue devoted to laboratory testing: Smock KJ, Moffat KA. Laboratory diagnostics for thrombosis and hemostasis testing-Part V. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026;52(8):887-888. doi: 10.1055/a-2912-7667. PMID: 42913665. The 14 citations are available as open-access articles.

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Events

A Meta-Analysis: Microplastics, Nanoplastics, and Thrombogenesis

Thanks to Dr. Emmanuel Favaloro for featuring this provocative open-access meta-analysis connecting microplastics and hemostasis. Balwan R, Hew YY, Gurumurthy G, et al. Microplastics, nanoplastics, and thrombogenesis. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2026;10(7):106931. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2026.106931. PMID: 42894845; PMCID: PMC13677222. Abstract Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are produced through mechanical, chemical, and ultraviolet-mediated degradation of plastics and may […]

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Thrombophilia

Summary--Current Hemophilia Therapy: FVIII Bypassing and Rebalancing

Click for an illustrated outline in Hemophilia Today, “The Rebalanced Patient: New Therapies and New Thrombotic Risks in Hemophilia.” Introduction For decades, the central therapeutic principle in hemophilia was straightforward: replace what was missing. In hemophilia A, this meant replacing FVIII; in hemophilia B, FIX. Prophylactic factor replacement transformed hemophilia from a condition dominated by recurrent […]

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Bleeding Disorders

Can We Confirm a DOAC Overdose?

Here’s a provocative question from Sacha N. Uljon, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Massachusetts General Brigham Special Coagulation Integrated Laboratory Service: Hello, this post is about lab findings in apixaban overdose. We have now seen two suicide attempts involving apixaban. There was no clot at all on the PT/PTT (Werfen/Hemosil), so the anti-Xa level can’t be […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

A World Thrombosis Day Post: Blood Clots Can Affect Anyone

Dr. Ali Sadeghi-Khomami: On World Thrombosis Day (13 October), a simple reminder: blood clots can affect anyone, and where a clot forms can have very different consequences. Let’s continue raising awareness about thrombosis, its risk factors, and the importance of early recognition. Know your risk. Recognize the signs. Take action.

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Thrombophilia

Reduced-dose DOACs in Cancer-associated Thrombosis

Click for this open-access retrospective cohort study reporting the safety and efficacy outcomes for reduced-dose DOACS: Santini P, Santagata D, Mosoni C, et al. Full- versus reduced-dose direct oral anticoagulants for extended treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2026. doi: 10.1055/a-2904-5824. PMID: 42379243. Abstract Extended anticoagulation is recommended in […]

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Anticoagulant Therapy

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