Thrombin Generation Assays: What are the Current Clinical Applications?

The thrombin generation assay (TGA), originally developed by McFarlane and Biggs in 1956, was modified in the 2000s by Hemker and coworkers. TGA aims to monitor the continuous generation of thrombin upon activation of coagulation in plasma by the addition of such triggers as small amounts of tissue factor, synthetic phospholipids, and calcium chloride. TGA is sensitive to hypo- and hypercoagulability and is affected by prohemostatic as well as antithrombotic drugs. The review of the current literature shows that TGA is mainly used to investigate conditions characterized by hypo- as well as hypercoagulability and as a laboratory tool to elucidate coagulation mechanisms that are not yet completely understood. This article aims to overview the value and limits of current procedures for TGA for the investigation of hemostasis.