Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation
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Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. · Jan 2007
External quality assessment in the measurement of haemoglobin by blood gas analysers in Belgium.
The Belgian national External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for haematology organized a survey to assess the reliability of haemoglobin (Hb) measurements with the blood gas analysers (BGAs) currently available in Belgian hospitals. ⋯ For the BGAs from Bayer, Radiometer and Roche, interlaboratory variation ranged from 0.6 % to 4.1 %, indicating good precision and close agreement between centres. A significant negative bias observed on the GEM Premier 3000 using the EDTA anticoagulated blood samples did not appear to be present in fresh heparinized whole blood samples. There was no significant difference in imprecision and bias between Hb measurements on BGA situated in and outside the central laboratory.
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Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. · Jan 2007
Microcytosis, iron deficiency and thalassaemia in a multi-ethnic community: a pilot study.
The high prevalence of microcytosis (defined here as mean cell haemoglobin<27 pg) with no other abnormality is a principal cause of confusion in screening for haemoglobin disorders. Here we report the results of a small pilot study aiming to resolve this confusion by routinely proceeding to plasma ferritin and HPLC assay, using the original sequestrene blood sample, when microcytosis is detected. Participants comprised a random sample of 1,302 people referred for a full blood count by their General Practitioner (GP) to the laboratory of a North London district general hospital serving a multi-ethnic inner-city population. ⋯ In North Europeans, microcytosis was present in 3% of males (half were iron-deficient) and 11% of females (most were iron-deficient). Among ethnic minorities, microcytosis was present in 35% of males (one tenth were iron-deficient), and 45% of females (less than half were iron-deficient): an exclusion diagnosis of "probable alpha thalassaemia" could be made in the remainder. We conclude that when microcytosis is present, routine further analysis of the original sequestrene sample by plasma ferritin assay and haemoglobinopathy screening could lead to a more efficient and cost-effective laboratory service for primary care and maternity services.
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Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. · Jan 2007
Q-T interval (QT(C)) in patients with cirrhosis: relation to vasoactive peptides and heart rate.
Prolonged Q-T interval (QT) has been reported in patients with cirrhosis who also exhibit profound abnormalities in vasoactive peptides and often present with elevated heart rate (HR). The aim of this study was to relate QT to the circulating level of endothelins (ET-1 and ET-3) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in patients with cirrhosis. In addition, we studied problems with HR correction of QT. ⋯ The prolonged QT(C) in cirrhosis is related to liver dysfunction and the presence of portal hypertension, but not to the elevated powerful vasoconstrictor (ET-1) or vasodilator (CGRP, ET-3) peptides. The problems with correction of the QT for elevated HR in cirrhosis are complex, and the lowest HR should be applied for determination of the QT.
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Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. · Jan 2006
Sequential cytokine levels in the diagnosis of appendicitis.
To determine the diagnostic value of sequential white blood cell count (WBC), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with abdominal pain. ⋯ WBC elevation in patients with suspected acute appendicitis is an important parameter supporting the diagnosis at initial admission, whereas IL-6 is a more valuable tool in diagnosing advanced appendicitis.