This book offers a description of current and recently developed
laboratory assays in the field of haemostasis and thrombosis. It is the
result of a unique cooperation between experts from more than 60
institutes in 12 European countries, brought together by the ECA T
(European Concerted Action on Thrombosis and Disabilities) under the
auspices of the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels,
Belgium. The ECAT, which was initiated in 1981, designed and performed
three prospective clinical studies to establish haemostatic factors as
risk indicators of thrombosis. Included were patients with angina
pectoris at risk from myocardial infarction, patients undergoing
angioplasty at risk from re-stenosis, and patients receiving hip
replacement at risk from deep venous thrombosis. Assay procedures were
chosen, training courses for technicians held, and essential reagents
were supplied from a central source. A quality control assessment scheme
served to compare assay results both within and between laboratories. In
the angina pectoris study, centres determined most of the assays
locally; in the other two studies assays were performed centrally. The
need for further quality assessment in Europe Dr J. F. Davidson in
Glasgow, led to a separate activity coordinated by including coagulation
inhibitors and plasminogen as risk factors for familial venous
thrombosis. The Editors hope the ECA T Assay Procedures book will
contribute to further harmonization ofhaemostasis assays, and ultimately
to their standardization.