The Journal of extra-corporeal technology
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Sep 2002
Comparative StudyComparison of five point-of-care prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time devices based on age of blood sample.
Delays in processing statium (STAT) blood samples have led to the production of an increasing number of point-of-care tests. Product inserts recommend measuring blood samples immediately after procurement, suggesting that delays may invalidate the test results. We studied the effect of the age of blood samples on point-of-care (POC) prothrombin time (PT) and an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) result. ⋯ One device (Hemochron 801) reported results with 10-min aged blood that were statistically different from fresh blood. None of the aPTT tests results from any device produced results with aged blood that were clinically different from fresh blood. This study suggests that, in the tests evaluated, blood samples that have aged 10 or 18 min will produce clinically relevant aPTT and PT results, respectively.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Sep 2002
Comparative StudyHow does the age of a blood sample affect it's activated clotting time? Comparison of eight different devices.
Monitoring activated clotting time (ACT) during extracorporeal procedures is virtually universal. The ACT test is usually performed immediately following blood collection. However, certain situations may occur that delay rapid measurement. ⋯ In the heparinized group, the Actalyke device produced results with 10 and 15 min aged blood that were significantly longer than fresh blood sample results (ACT < 60 s = 426 +/- 66, 10 min = 457 +/- 82, 15 min = 450 +/- 68 s, p < .05). No other device produced significant differences for either time period. Based on this limited sample population, it seems that accurate ACT may be performed on blood samples up to 15 min old in many devices.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Sep 2002
Expanding perfusion services through mobile point-of-care coagulation monitoring.
Current trends in cardiac surgery have challenged perfusionists to seek diversification of services. Point-of-care coagulation (POCC) monitoring represents a desirable area of perfusion service expansion. The purpose of the study was to create a series of hemostatic conditions to assess the functionality of POCC monitors to identify specific coagulopathies with identifiable profiles for algorithm development. ⋯ Five POCC devices were used to evaluate activated clotting time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, platelet function, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastograph. Results are reported as percentage change from control for each test (abtract table). [table: see text] Each test performed showed specificity and sensitivity for certain coagulopathies, however variability amongst monitors was encountered. In conclusion, the development of a mobile cart incorporating POCC monitors with knowledge of specific coagulopathic conditions may expand perfusion service.