Prof. Alexander Gatt, Head of Department of Pathology, in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and Dr Nicoletta Riva, Senior Lecturer, recently attended the 2025 Congress of the (ISTH), held in Washington D.C., USA, between 21 and 25 June.
Prof. Gatt, an active member of the ISTH Subcommittee on Haemostasis and Thrombosis in Liver Disease, was invited to deliver a presentation on the management of bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis (photo). In addition, during this conference, 4 research posters were presented, showcasing the research conducted within the Department of Pathology. These research projects were possible thanks to the collaboration with several MSc and BSc students, and the staff at the Coagulation and Haematology Laboratories, in the Department of Pathology at Mater Dei Hospital, in particular Mr Kevin Vella, Executive Allied Health Practitioner.
- Coagulation profiling pre- and post- covid-19 vaccination. This study formed part of the larger VICRAM project, which investigated the immune and coagulation profiling before and after COVID-19 vaccination. The aim of this sub-study, conducted with the contribution of Ms Riana Magri and Mr Luca Padovani, was to identify any changes in coagulation parameters potentially attributable to vaccination (photo). VICRAM was supported by a grant from Xjenza (previously Malta Council of Science and Technology, MCST) through the Infectious Diseases Programme 2021.
- An in vitro study on prophylactic doses of anticoagulants in coagulation factors deficiencies. This study was part of the CHI-MA-HAEM-NET project aiming to create a Malta-China research network to improve the health care of patients with haemophilia. The aim of this sub-study, conducted with the contribution of Mr Nigel Debattista, was to assess the effect of prophylactic anticoagulants on in vitro models of haemophilia A and B (photo). CHI-MA-HAEM-NET was supported by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the Ministry for Science and Technology of the People鈥檚 Republic of China (MOST), through the Sino-Malta Fund 2021 (Science and Technology Cooperation).
- A comparative in vitro study of the anticoagulant effect of branded versus generic apixaban. This study, conducted with the contribution of Ms Abigail Portelli, compared the anticoagulant effects of branded apixaban with three generic versions using a panel of coagulation assays.
- Rationale for direct oral anticoagulants use in unusual site venous thromboembolism: the DUST study. This is an international study coordinated by Dr Riva and involving 23 participating centres worldwide. The DUST study evaluated the rationale for choosing the direct oral anticoagulant drugs for the treatment of unusual site venous thromboembolism in real-world clinical practice.
