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BACKGROUND The management of affected results in haemolysed samples (HS) is debated. In an infant-maternity setting, for reporting interfered test results, we provided the result itself, the degree of haemolysis (as free haemoglobin concentration), and a warning recommending sample recollection. We investigated the impact of this approach on sample quality and clinicians' decision-making. METHODS Free haemoglobin was measured on Beckman Coulter AU680 as haemolytic index. We estimated the total HS number, the clinical wards more affected by HS, the most interfered analytes, and the retesting rate of interfered tests, by comparing data from Apr-Dec 2017, the period just after the introduction of the new policy, vs. Apr-Dec 2018. RESULTS One year after the new report introduction, a significant HS decrease (5.8% vs. 7.8%, P

Appropriateness in Laboratory Medicine has been the object of various types of interventions. From published experiences, it is now clear that to effectively manage the laboratory test demand it is recommended to activate evidence-based preventative strategies stopping inappropriate requests before they can reach the laboratory. To guarantee appropriate laboratory test utilization, healthcare institutions should implement and optimize a computerized provider order entry (CPOE), exploiting the potential of electronic requesting as “enabling factor” for reinforcing appropriateness and sustaining its effects over time. In our academic institution, over the last 15 years, our medical laboratory has enforced various interventions to improve test appropriateness, all directly or indirectly based on CPOE use. The following types of intervention were implemented: (1) applying specific recommendations supported by monitoring by CPOE as well as a continuous consultation with clinicians (tumour markers); (2) removing outdated tests and avoiding redundant duplications (cardiac markers, pancreatic enzymes); (3) order restraints to selected wards and gating policy (procalcitonin, B-type natriuretic peptide, homocysteine); (4) reflex testing (bilirubin fractions, free prostate-specific antigen, aminotransferases, magnesium in hypocalcemia); and (5) minimum retesting interval (D-Dimer, vitamin B12, C-reactive protein, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase). In this paper, we reviewed these interventions and summarized their outcomes primarily related to the changes in total test volumes and cost savings, without neglecting patient safety. Our experience confirmed that laboratory professionals have an irreplaceable role as “stewards” in designing, implementing, evaluating, and maintaining interventions focused to improving test appropriateness.

A relevant portion of patients with disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) experience negative outcome, and several laboratory tests have been proposed to predict disease severity. Among others, dramatic changes in peripheral blood cells have been described. We developed and validated a laboratory score solely based on blood cell parameters to predict survival in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We retrospectively analyzed 1,619 blood cell count from 226 consecutively hospitalized COVID-19 patients to select parameters for inclusion in a laboratory score predicting severity of disease and survival. The score was derived from lymphocyte- and granulocyte-associated parameters and validated on a separate cohort of 140 consecutive COVID-19 patients. Using ROC curve analysis, a best cutoff for score of 30.6 was derived, which was associated to an overall 82.0% sensitivity (95% CI: 78-84) and 82.5% specificity (95% CI: 80-84) for detecting outcome. The scoring trend effectively separated survivor and non-survivor groups, starting 2 weeks before the end of the hospitalization period. Patients' score time points were also classified into mild, moderate, severe, and critical according to the symptomatic oxygen therapy administered. Fluctuations of the score should be recorded to highlight a favorable or unfortunate trend of the disease. The predictive score was found to reflect and anticipate the disease gravity, defined by the type of the oxygen support used, giving a proof of its clinical relevance. It offers a fast and reliable tool for supporting clinical decisions and, most important, triage in terms of not only prioritization but also allocation of limited medical resources, especially in the period when therapies are still symptomatic and many are under development. In fact, a prolonged and progressive increase of the score can suggest impaired chances of survival and/or an urgent need for intensive care unit admission.

Objectives Pre-analytical plasma glucose (PG) sampling methodology may significantly affect gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence, but no studies directly examined the impact on perinatal outcomes. We compared the effect on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results of using for blood sampling the traditional sodium fluoride (NaF) tubes, batched at controlled temperature, and the more effective citrate-buffered tubes, in terms of GDM diagnosis and related outcomes. Methods We evaluated 578 pregnant women performing OGTT between 24- and 28-weeks’ gestation. Paired NaF and citrate blood samples were drawn and analyzed for PG. GDM diagnosis was made by applying the ‘one-step’ American Diabetes Association strategy. Data on perinatal outcomes were collected in a subset of 330 women who delivered in our hospital network. Results Using the standard NaF approach, 69 (11.9%) GDM women were detected. Using citrate PG values, 90 women were additionally identified as GDM, increasing the GDM prevalence to 27.5%. Perinatal outcomes were analyzed according to the different diagnostic allocation (NaF-diagnosed GDM, additional citrate-diagnosed GDM, and no GDM). NaF-diagnosed GDM showed a higher incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) (p=0.034), and of cesarean and preterm delivery (p Conclusions If a health care system plans to use citrate tubes for GDM diagnosis, considerations about clinical implications are mandatory by balancing higher sensitivity in detecting a poor glycemic control with effects on outcomes to avoid “overdiagnosis”.

Modern haematology platforms provide information regarding blood cell count, differential cellular characteristics, leukopoiesis, erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Among the disorders of red blood cells (RBC), anaemias are a common healthcare problem, for which effective treatment is possible if the cause is correctly recognised. For this purpose, a classification system based on the RBC indices, generated automatically by haematology systems, is used and has taken on clinical importance.1 Among RBC indices, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is one of the most indicative parameters. Elevated MCHC can be seen in RBC disease, in cold agglutination (CA) or in haemolysed or icteric samples.2 Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an antibody and complement-mediated haemolytic anaemia classified as primary, if associated with lymphoproliferative disease, and secondary CAD, when associated with malignant disease and infection, respectively.3 Diagnosis of CAD occurs by direct antiglobulin test. High mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and false reduction in RBC count are often seen in CAD, together with a false increase of mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and MCHC. In this condition, preheating at 37°C the blood sample for 2 hours permits to restore the correct values of the perturbed haematological parameters. Previous studies reported the use of reticulocyte (RET) channel of Sysmex XN series (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan), which, through a short preheating (1 min) at 41°C, may return the correct RBC count and derived indices by spontaneous separation of agglutinated RBC.4 5 In this study, we aimed to further validate this approach for use in a total …

To the Editor: We read with interest the reflection by Forest et al. (1) highlighting the need of professional supervision for cutting-edge technology. In 2014, we implemented a full total laboratory automation (TLA)1 section in our institution, moving from a compartmentalized organization toward a decision-making–based laboratory department arranged as a core laboratory executing first-line tests and satellite laboratory sections performing specialized tests (2). In the core-lab, samples are handled in real time by exploiting TLA in which the Flexlab …

Objective Circulating lymphocyte subtypes are not fully explored parameters for monitoring chronic T cell activation during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), one of the main mediators of IBD related inflammation induces expression of CD70 on T cells. CD70 limits T cell expansion and controls CD27 receptor on activated B lymphocytes. Aim of this study was to assess the number and the frequency of CD70+ T cells and CD27+ B cells in IBD patients during inactive phase of the disease under or without anti-TNFα treatment. Design We studied 91 patients with inactive IBD, 31 untreated, 29 treated with infliximab (IFX), and 31 treated with adalimumab (ADA). Lymphocyte phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry using anti-CD45, CD19, CD27, CD3, and CD70 monoclonal antibodies. IFX and ADA actual capacity of TNFα neutralization in serum was estimated by the recoveryELISA technique. Results Whereas CD3+ T cells were increased in treated compared to untreated patients, the percentage of the CD70+ T cells was significantly lower in treated patients indicating a ‘cooling’ effect of the biological therapy. This effect differs between samples according to the therapeutic range of the circulating drug. Although the CD19+ B-cell percentage tended to be lower in treated patients, CD19+27+ memory B cells did not show significant differences between groups. Conclusions Frequency of peripheral blood CD70+ T cells was significantly reduced by treatment with anti-TNFα antibodies. Monitoring of this parameter of T cells can give better insight to the disease progression and therapy application in IBD patients.

Background Automatic photometric determination of the hemolysis index (HI) on serum and plasma samples is central to detect potential interferences of in vitro hemolysis on laboratory tests. When HI is above an established cut-off for interference, results may suffer from a significant bias and undermine clinical reliability of the test. Despite its undeniable importance for patient safety, the analytical performance of HI estimation is not usually checked in laboratories. Here we evaluated for the first time the random source of measurement uncertainty of HI determination on the two Abbott Architect c16000 platforms in use in our laboratory. Methods From January 2016 to September 2017, we collected data from daily photometric determination of HI on a fresh-frozen serum pool with a predetermined HI value of ~ 100 (corresponding to ~ 1 g/L of free hemoglobin). Monthly and cumulative CVs were calculated. Results During 21 months, 442 and 451 measurements were performed on the two platforms, respectively. Monthly CVs ranged from 0.7% to 2.7% on c16000–1 and from 0.8% to 2.5% on c16000-2, with a between-platform cumulative CV of 1.82% (corresponding to an expanded uncertainty of 3.64%). Mean HI values on the two platforms were just slightly biased (101.3 vs. 103.1, 1.76%), but, due to the high precision of measurements, this difference assumed statistical significance (p Conclusions Even though no quality specifications are available to date, our study shows that the HI measurement on Architect c16000 platform has nice reproducibility that could be considered in establishing the state of the art of the measurement.

Background Blood loss for laboratory testing may contribute to hospital-acquired anemia. When implementing the core laboratory (core-lab) section, we consolidated first-line tests decreasing the number of tubes previously dispatched to different sites. Here, hypothesized benefits of the amount of blood volume drawn were explored. Methods We retrieved, using a laboratory information system (LIS), the number of tubes received by laboratories interested in the change from all clinical wards in a year-based period, i.e. 2013 for pre-core-lab and 2015 for core-lab system, respectively. Data were expressed as the overall number of tubes sent to laboratories, the corresponding blood volume, and the number of laboratory tests performed, normalized for the number of inpatients. Results After consolidation, the average number of blood tubes per inpatient significantly decreased (12.6 vs. 10.7, p Conclusions Total laboratory automation does not automatically mean reducing iatrogenic blood loss. The new system affected the procedure of blood drawing in clinical wards by significantly reducing the number of handled tubes, producing a benefit in terms of costs, labor and time consumption. Except in ICUs, this also slightly promoted some blood saving. ICUs which engage in phlebotomizing patients daily, did not take advantage from the test consolidation.

The intended use of the automatic photometric determination of the icteric index (II) on serum and plasma samples is to provide fundamental information about the sample quality, in relation to analytical procedures that are interfered by bilirubin present at concentrations higher than the established interference thresholds.1 An additional interesting use of the determination of II, first proposed by Salinas et al ,2 is its use as front-line test for the identification of blood samples with abnormal total bilirubin (TB) concentrations. The application of an optimal cut-off for II that reliably identifies abnormal TB concentrations allowed the accurate ‘zero-cost’ detection of samples with normal TB concentrations (ie, ≤0.012 g/L or ≤20.5 µmol/L), avoiding direct measurements in ~40% of bilirubin orders.3 In our laboratory, the use of II for the screening of hyperbilirubinaemic samples was validated in 2015 using the Abbott Architect c16000 analytical system and, since June 2016, serum and plasma samples with a request of TB determination and an II ≤0.8 are automatically reported as having a TB concentration ≤0.012 g/L (≤20.5 µmol/L), without any further measurement.4 The II cut-off value of 0.8 on the Architect c system was demonstrated to have a sensitivity ≥99% for discriminating between specimens with high or normal TB, with a false negative rate of 0.1% on serum samples and 0.2% on plasma samples, respectively.4 The implementation of this reflex testing procedure raised the responsibility of laboratory …

To the Editor, We read with interest the letter by Schuff-Werner and Steiner1 that commented a recently published article dealing with the evaluation of the short- and long-term storage stability of plasma ammonia.2 We were particularly impressed by the authors’ claim that blood ammonia values may significantly depend on the activity of γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) in plasma. They support this conclusion by reporting experimental results obtained in two samples with low and increased GGT catalytic concentrations stored up to 6 h either at room temperature or at 4°C.1 Several, mostly preanalytical, factors, like haemolysis and poor specimen quality, skin contamination and delayed analysis in general, may cause artificial increase of blood ammonia.3 ,4 If the systematic detection of haemolysis through the automatic photometric measurement of haemolysis index (HI) is now relatively common, it is more difficult for laboratories to keep the time short between blood drawing and analysis. To prevent an artificial increase of ammoniaemia caused by the metabolism of red blood cells due …

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon tumor associated with occupational exposure to dusts of different origin. Few investigations addressed molecular alterations in ITAC mainly focused on TP53, K-ras and H-ras gene mutations. The occurrence of TP53, p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) deregulation and H-ras mutations was investigated in 21 consecutive and untreated ITACs cases, 17 with known professional exposure. No H-ras mutations were found. In patients with known exposure, cumulative evidence of TP53 or p14(ARF) alterations accounted for 88% and the evidence of p16(INK4a) alterations for 65%, respectively. TP53 mutations were present in 44% of the ITACs, consisted of G:C-->A:T transitions in 86%, and involved the CpG dinucleotides in 50% of the cases. LOH at the locus 17p13 and an uncommon high rate of p53 stabilization were detected in 58% and 59% of the cases, respectively. p14(ARF)and p16(INK4a) promoter methylation accounted for 80% and 67% respectively, and LOH at the locus 9p21 occurred in 45% of the cases. Interestingly, all dust-exposed tumors with p16(INK4a) alterations shared TP53 or p14(ARF) deregulation. The present results show a close association of this occupational tumor with TP53, p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) gene deregulation. Given the important role that these genes play in cell growth control and apoptosis, the knowledge of ITAC genetic profile may be helpful in selecting more tailored treatments.

Objectives The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system includes genes involved in graft-vs-host rejection and in immune response. The discovery that HLAs are associated with several diseases led to appealing developments both in basic biomedical research and in clinical medicine, and offered the opportunity to improve the understanding of pathogenesis and classification of diseases, as well as to provide diagnostic and prognostic indicators. The aim of this article is to review the association between HLA alleles and autoimmune digestive disease and its current relationship with modern HLA nomenclature and clinical practice. Methods Articles dealing with the association between HLAs and autoimmune digestive disease (including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis) were searched for using Pubmed and SCOPUS databases from earliest records to January 2008. Results The review has provided two sections. In the first, we explain the basic principles of HLA structure, function, and nomenclature, as an introduction to the second section, which describes current associations between HLA alleles and digestive diseases. The clinical implications of each HLA association are critically discussed. Actually, a clinical role for HLA typing is suggested for only a few conditions, e.g., celiac disease. Conclusions The knowledge of current HLA nomenclature and of its association with some digestive diseases such as celiac disease can be useful in clinical practice for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. This can avoid improper HLA typing as well as stressing the need for further studies on other possible clinical applications.

Clinical and basic mechanism observations reveal interactions between neural and immune systems. These two systems create a complex network for recognizing danger to the host and its protection from outside pathogenic elements as well as from inside overreactions of inflammatory character. Here, we review the interactions of these two systems in relation to the effects of pesticides that clearly involve elements of cholinergic lymphocytic system. We discuss cellular and soluble elements of the immune system, which may be affected by pesticide exposure. We suggest that in-depth studies of the influence of pesticides on lymphocytes may contribute to the development of sensitive methods of measuring early adverse effects appearing in response to pesticide exposure.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) can arise sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis type 1. Deletions at the 9p21 locus have been reported in these tumors. To additionally characterize the status of this chromosomal region, in this study we performed a comprehensive, mostly PCR-based molecular analysis of the three tumor suppressor genes p15(INK4b), p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) located at the 9p21 locus in 26 cryopreserved MPNSTs.Fourteen neurofibromatosis type 1-related and 12 sporadic cases were investigated for homozygous deletion coupled with fluorescent in situ hybridization, promoter methylation, and mutational analysis, as well as m-RNA expression.The results showed that an inactivation of one or more genes occurred in 77% of MPNSTs and was mainly achieved through homozygous deletion (46%), which, in turn, encompassed all of the three tandemly linked genes in 83% of the deleted cases. Promoter methylation was at a less extent involved in gene silencing (18%), and no mutations were found. Loss of function at DNA level strongly correlated with loss of mRNA expression accounting for 80% of the cases. Because of the close relationship between p14(ARF) and TP53 and between p15(INK4b)/p16(INK4a) and Rb, these results support a model of a coinactivation of TP53 and Rb pathways in 75% of MPNSTs, with functional consequences on cell growth control and apoptosis.The inactivation of the 9p21 locus is a frequent and peculiar hallmark of MPNST genetic profile leading also to an impaired apoptosis that could be taken into account in treatment planning of these tumors.

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon tumor associated with occupational exposure to dusts of different origin. Few investigations addressed molecular alterations in ITAC mainly focused on TP53, K-ras and H-ras gene mutations. The occurrence of TP53, p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) deregulation and H-ras mutations was investigated in 21 consecutive and untreated ITACs cases, 17 with known professional exposure. No H-ras mutations were found. In patients with known exposure, cumulative evidence of TP53 or p14(ARF) alterations accounted for 88% and the evidence of p16(INK4a) alterations for 65%, respectively. TP53 mutations were present in 44% of the ITACs, consisted of G:C--A:T transitions in 86%, and involved the CpG dinucleotides in 50% of the cases. LOH at the locus 17p13 and an uncommon high rate of p53 stabilization were detected in 58% and 59% of the cases, respectively. p14(ARF)and p16(INK4a) promoter methylation accounted for 80% and 67% respectively, and LOH at the locus 9p21 occurred in 45% of the cases. Interestingly, all dust-exposed tumors with p16(INK4a) alterations shared TP53 or p14(ARF) deregulation. The present results show a close association of this occupational tumor with TP53, p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) gene deregulation. Given the important role that these genes play in cell growth control and apoptosis, the knowledge of ITAC genetic profile may be helpful in selecting more tailored treatments.

Karyotypic complexities associated with frequent loss or rearrangement of a number of chromosome arms, deletions, and mutations affecting the TP53 region, and molecular alterations of the INK4A gene have been reported in sporadic and/or neurofibromatosis type I (NF1)-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). However, no investigations addressing possible different pathogenetic pathways in sporadic and NF1-associated MPNSTs have been reported. This lack is unexpected because, despite similar morphologic and immunophenotypic features, NF1-related cases are, by definition, associated with NF1 gene defects. Thus, we investigated the occurrence of TP53 and p16(INK4A) gene deregulation and the presence of microsatellite alterations at markers located at 17p, 17q, 9p21, 22q, 11q, 1p, or 2q loci in MPNSTs and neurofibromas either related (14 cases) or unrelated (14 cases) to NF1. Our results indicate that, in MPNSTs, p16(INK4A) inactivation almost equally affects both groups. However, TP53 mutations and loss of heterozygosity involving the TP53 locus (43% versus 9%), and p53 wild type overexpression, related or not to mdm2 overexpression (71% versus 25%), seem to mainly be restricted to sporadic MPNSTs. In NF1-associated MPNSTs, our microsatellite results are consistent with the occurrence of somatic inactivation by loss of heterozygosity of the second NF1 allele.

We studied a group of patients with or without individual or family history of melanoma for the occurrence of genetic alterations at microsatellite DNA sequences, usually referred to as microsatellite instability (MSI), and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Microsatellite analysis of 3 markers located on chromosome 9p21-22 was performed for 88 melanocytic lesions, including 27 melanomas and 35 dysplastic and 26 common nevi, from 48 patients. Three additional markers, on 11q23, 17q21 and 5q22, were investigated in 16 melanomas. Overall, microsatellite alterations of the type usually considered low-level instability at 9p21-22 were observed in 22% of melanomas and 31% of dysplastic and 23% of common nevi. LOH at the same loci was found in 15% of melanomas and 8% of dysplastic nevi but never in common nevi. Cases with a positive family history of melanoma compared to those with a negative family history showed a higher microsatellite alteration frequency (43% vs. 20%), and the same was observed in melanoma compared to non-melanoma carriers (31% vs. 16%). Our results show that (i) MSI is common in all melanocytic lesions, though with differences in the group of patients which could have clinical relevance if confirmed, whereas LOH is restricted to melanomas and dysplastic nevi; (ii) various melanocytic lesions from the same patient represent clonally distinct tumors; (iii) the phenotype suggestive of DNA repair deficiency is influenced by a family or an individual history of melanoma; (iv) the microsatellite alteration frequency correlates with patient groups ordered according to increasing melanoma risk.

A dedifferentiated acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the right parotid gland with lymph node metastases occurred in a 36-year-old woman. The tumour was associated with a bilateral well-differentiated AciCC. The two components of this tumour had different (high and low) proliferative activity measured by Mib-1 and different (aneuploid and diploid) DNA content. Despite the presence of a high-grade component, TP53 mutations, microsatellite instability (MSI) and/or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the p53 locus were not detected. Although the follow-up of the patient is very short, the aggressiveness of the tumour is shown by a recurrence in the right parotid within 4 months and by the rapid development of regional metastases.

Aims and Background We evaluate the possibility to use a combination of techniques such as lymphocyte stimulation and the Cell Scan instrument for early detection of breast cancer. This method can detect differences in lymphocytes activation in the presence or absence of cancer. Methods The Cell Scan is a static cytometer system able to examine cellular membrane polarization. We screened 88 women with benign breast lesions, 207 women with mammary carcinoma and 325 healthy blood donors. After lymphocytes separation, each blood sample was incubated with encephalitogenic factor (EF), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and Breast Antigen (BrAg) then SCM test was performed. Results Positivity was 50% among breast cancer patients, 34% among women affected by benign disease and 27% and 22% respectively among healthy female and male controls with an increase of the specific predictivity of the test during the period of ovulation. A significant difference ( P Conclusions This results suggest that the Cell Scan test could be useful to investigate patient's immunogenicity to molecules known to be involved in tumor development and progression, such as oncogene or suppressor gene products, which could be appropriate targets for immune-derived therapeutic approaches.

Abstract 3369 Background: Patients with Ph-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) such as Polycythemia Vera (PV), Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) can be exposed during the course of these MPN to thrombotic and bleeding complications, with increased morbidity and mortality. Age, previous history of thrombosis, increased White Blood Cell (WBC) and Jak2 allele burden have been proposed as risk factors for Venous (VTE) and Arterial (ATE) thromboses while bleeding has been previously associated with abnormalities of the von Willebrand factor (VWF). Aims: To investigate any significant role of ADAMTS-13 and VWF activities in the thrombotic and bleeding complications observed in a small but well characterized cohort of MPN patients. Patients and Methods: 88 consecutive patients were diagnosed at the Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Division, L.SACCO University Hospital of Milan, according to WHO criteria. Patients signed an informed consent to participate in this clinical study with a protocol approved by local IRB and they showed MPN type (%), mean age (range), gender M/F and Jak2 positivity (%) as follows: PV[n=42 (48%), 68 (36–86), 18/24; 85.7%]; ET [n=34 (38%), 66 (30–93), 10/24, 61.7%]; PMF [n=12 (14%), 67 (37–88), 7/5, 58%]. Thrombotic and bleeding episodes were recorded and managed from the time of diagnosis and associated with the use of aspirin (ASA) and of other MPN therapies. Among additional lab parameters, plasmatic ADAMTS-13 and VWF activities were also measured at enrolment as endothelial/platelet marker. These activities were assayed with Technozym ADAMTS-13 activity (Technoclone GmbH, Austria), Innovance VWF-GPIb activity (Siemens AG, Germany) and HemosIL-VWF antigen (Instrumentation Laboratory, USA). Multimeric analyses were also tested using very sensitive intermediate SDS-agarose gel electrophoresis. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS-17.2. Results: 59/88 (67%) patients did not show any thrombotic or bleeding complications during the 6-year follow-up. In these cases mean (range) values of VWF:GPIb and VWF:Ag were 104 (29–202) and 133 (52–288) U/dL while ADAMTS-13 was 102 (63–143). 20/88 (23%) cases showed at least one thrombotic event (13ATE/7VTE): AMI (6), STROKE (6), TIA (2), PE (1), DVT (7). Patients with thromboses showed relatively higher values VWF:GPIb and lower ADAMTS-13 and this was confirmed in multivariate analysis especially for ET [VWF:GPIb=135 (61–237) U/dL, p=0.004 and ADAMTS-13=89(62–134), p=0.009]. Major bleeding episodes mainly mucosal (5 gastrointestinal, 3 post-surgery, 1 severe menorrhagia) requiring blood transfusions or hysterectomy were observed in 9/88 (10%) patients. At the multivariate analysis, major bleedings were significantly associated with lower VWF:GPIb [68 (25–111) U/dL, p=0.022), lower VWF:Ag [93 (35–146) U/dL, p=0.016] and to the ASA intake (p=0.006). Most of these bleeders showed also a relative loss of the highest molecular weight multimers. Conclusions: Based on these observations, we confirm that thrombotic events in MPN may certainly have multiple risk factors: however, lower ADAMTS-13 and higher VWF activities might play a role as additional risk factors especially in ET. Conversely, lower levels of VWF with loss of the largest multimers are important risk factors for bleeding in MPN especially in patients treated with ASA. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.