Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast Behind the Knife ABSITE 2026 - Hematology
Jan 4, 2026
Kevin, a clinical educator and hematology expert, shares his insights on essential topics for the ABSITE review. He dives into coagulation tests, explaining PTT and PT/INR, and discusses liver-synthesized clotting factors. The conversation covers blood products like cryoprecipitate and FFP, along with managing transfusion reactions and understanding thromboelastography. Kevin outlines complexities of von Willebrand disease and hemophilia, addresses inherited disorders, and elaborates on oral anticoagulants and modern immunology basics, making this an invaluable resource for exam preparation.
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Target PTT For Heparin Therapy
- Aim for a PTT of 60–90 seconds when therapeutic heparinizing a patient.
- Remember heparin's half-life is roughly 60–90 minutes to guide dosing and monitoring.
PT/INR Reflects Liver Synthesis
- Use PT/INR to assess liver synthetic function because factors II, VII, IX, and X are liver-made.
- Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor are not synthesized in the liver and won't reflect liver function.
Choose Blood Products By Deficit
- Use cryoprecipitate for low fibrinogen, hemophilia A, or von Willebrand disease and FFP for broad coagulation factor replacement.
- Give platelets for thrombocytopenia and PRBCs for anemia or hemorrhagic resuscitation.
