The CoaguChek XS point-of-care device can be used to provide accurate and precise INR measurements over a wide range for monitoring of valvular and non-valvular patients on long-term warfarin therapy.

Background. The management of pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves remains challenging. Both vitamin K antagonists and heparins may be associated with maternal and fetal adverse events. Method. The Southern African Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis reviewed available literature and comprehensive evidence-based guidelines for the anticoagulation of pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves. A draft document was produced and revised by consensus agreement. The recommendations were adjudicated by independent international experts to avoid local bias. Results and conclusion. We present concise, practical guidelines for the clinical management of pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves. Recommendations reflect current best practice, which it is hoped will lead to improved anticoagulation practice in this select group of high-risk patients.

A peripheral blood smear review is a useful but labour intensive adjunct to the full blood count and differential count. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the performance of the International Consensus Group for Haematology smear review rules for detection of malaria in 153 samples with Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia. Review rules were triggered in 132 (86.3%) samples, including all patients with severe malaria. Of the 21 false negative samples, 14 (66.7%) had haemoglobin values ≥ 10g/dl and platelets > 120x109/l.