Are the latest point-of-care D-dimer devices ready for use in general practice? A prospective clinical evaluation of five test systems with a capillary blood feature for suspected venous thromboembolism.

Introduction: We evaluated clinical performance of five novel point-of-care (POC) D-dimer devices with a capillary finger stick feature for predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) in general practice: Exdia TRF Plus (E), AFIAS-1® (A), Standard F200® (S), LumiraDx™ (L) and Hipro AFS/1® (H).

Materials And Methods: Primary care patients with a low suspicion of a VTE were asked to consent to (i) draw additional venous blood samples, (ii) perform a capillary POC D-dimer test, (iii) approach their general practitioner afterwards for clinical outcomes. Venous plasma samples were processed on all POC devices and a laboratory-based assay (STA-Liatest®D-Di PLUS assay).

Performance of C-Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin, TAT Complex, and Factor VIII in Addition to D-Dimer in the Exclusion of Venous Thromboembolism in Primary Care Patients.

Background: In primary care, D-dimer-combined with a clinical assessment-is recommended for ruling-out venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, D-dimer testing frequently yields false-positive results, notably in the elderly, and the search for novel biomarkers thus continues. We assessed the added diagnostic value of 4 promising laboratory tests.

Performance of commercially-available cholesterol self-tests.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia (plasma cholesterol concentration ≥5.2 mmol/L) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Many different cholesterol self-tests are readily available at general stores, pharmacies and web shops.

Analytical performance and user-friendliness of five novel point-of-care D-dimer assays.

D-dimer testing combined with a clinical assessment has become a standard pathway for ruling-out venous thromboembolism (VTE). Recently, novel Point-of-Care (POC) D-dimer assays have been introduced, enabling low-volume blood sampling for rapid exclusion of VTE in a one-step procedure. We assessed the analytical validity and user-friendliness of a set of these novel POC D-dimer assays, and compared the results with a standard laboratory assay.

Recentrifugation of Lithium Heparin Gel Separator Tubes up to 8 h after Blood Collection Has No Relevant Influence on the Stability of 30 Routine Biochemical Analytes.

Background: Venipuncture for the purpose of blood analysis is often performed at remote locations, and samples may be centrifuged locally to preserve the integrity of analytes. At the central laboratory, these tubes may be centrifuged again in the routine process. However, limited research shows that >1 centrifugation cycle of gel separator tubes causes significant changes in analytes, in particular troponin I and potassium.