Technothrombin^® TGA is a thrombin generation assay (TGA) based on monitoring the formation of thrombin by means of a fluorogenic substrate upon activation of the coagulation cascade by tissue factor. This assay can be used to monitor hemophiliacs during inhibitor bypassing therapy, to monitor anticoagulation therapy and to determine states of thrombophilia. Read the JAMA review and commentary.

The use of Technothrombin^® TGA for such diverse applications is made possible because Technothrombin^® TGA allows to measure the whole kinetics of thrombin generation not only during the initiation phase of thrombin formation with the end point fibrin formation, but also during the phase of down regulation of thrombin formation and inactivation of the formed thrombin. Technothrombin^® TGA is therefore a universal tool for analysis and monitoring of the haemostatic system on an individual basis.

TEST PRINCIPLE

Technothrombin^® TGA is based on monitoring the fluorescence generated by thrombin cleavage of a fluorogenic substrate over time upon activation of the coagulation cascade by different concentrations of tissue factor (RA, RB, RC Low and RC High) and negatively charged phospholipids in whole blood or plasma. From the changes in fluorescence over time, the concentration of thrombin (nM) in the sample can be calculated using the respective thrombin calibration curve. The rate of increase in thrombin concentration over time then allows to calculate generation of thrombin in the sample per minute and to plot this value over time for the whole coagulation process. This then results in the visualization of the different phases of clot formation.