Step 1 of the ECMS
Step 1 is the Heparin Response Test (HRT) - an
in vitro assay 2-part series used to determine the patient's heparin response prior to dosing. This response varies greatly in equines, making the HRT a critical step for successful anticoagulant treatment, and an indispensible adjunct to Step 2 of the ECMS.
The first part of the series is the HRT Baseline. Using this test the equine practitioner is able to determine the patient's "baseline" clotting time.
The second part of the series is the HRT Response. This test allows the equine practitioner to determine the patient's "response" to a known quantity of heparin, low molecular weight heparin or other direct inhibitor. These results determine if the patient is a "low", "normal" or "high" responder to the anticoagulant.
Additionally, the HRT series can be used to determine if the equine is in a hypercoagulated state - information critical to the proper diagnosis and care of the equine patient.
