Basic coagulation tests as surrogates of dabigatran levels in a pre-operative setting: Analysis of five activated partial thromboplastin time reagents and thrombin time

BACKGROUND: In patients who are receiving dabigatran, a direct oral anticoagulant, measuring the anticoagulant effect before surgery may be needed in certain circumstances. Although the dilute thrombin time (dTT) can reliably measure dabigatran levels, it is not consistently available. More commonly used coagulation tests, including the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT) might have clinical utility but their …