Speaker

Dr Kieron Hickey
Thrombosis Lead Scientist,
Sheffield Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre

Dr Hickey has worked in the field of laboratory haemostasis for approaching 25 years, with extensive experience in diagnosis and monitoring of patients with both bleeding and thrombotic disorders. In his current role as deputy lab manager and Lead Scientist in Thrombophilia (both acquired and inherited), he manages both phenotypic profiles and molecular genetic testing. Their centre is the main referral site within the region and provide national support to other sites. He participates in international value assignment programs for new WHO standards, stimulates, and leads in scientific and technical research and service development in the department. He has coauthored guidelines in relation to thrombophilia and antiphospholipid investigation and numerous articles in area of homeostasis, including International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis guidelines on Protein C testing and recent updated guidelines from British Society of Haematology on diagnosis and management of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Lecture Abstract

Lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing is crucial for diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a condition associated with thrombosis and obstetric complications. LA detection presents unique challenges due to its nature as an in vitro phenomenon, the lack of a gold standard assay, as well as insufficient testing and reporting harmonisation. This talk will cover the principles of LA testing, including screening, mixing, and confirmatory procedures based on recently published international guidelines. Dr. Hickey will subsequently focus on Sysmex’s LA reagents, especially how they can be used in the setting of these new guidelines.