Clinical evaluation of capillary B-type natriuretic peptide testing.

Background Capillary B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing is attractive in outpatient and emergency settings. The aim of this study was to perform an evaluation of the clinical performances of capillary BNP testing as compared with venous whole blood and plasma point-of-care (POC) BNP as well as plasma N-terminal (NT) proBNP central laboratory testing. Methods BNP was measured with a novel single epitope POC assay (Minicare® BV, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) and NT-proBNP with a central laboratory assay (Roche Diagnostics®, Vienna, Austria).

Analytical performance of a single epitope B-type natriuretic peptide sandwich immunoassay on the Minicare platform for point-of-care diagnostics.

Point-of-care B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing with adequate analytical performance has the potential to improve patient flow and provide primary care givers with easy-to-use advanced diagnostic tools in the management of heart failure. We present the analytical evaluation of the Minicare BNP immunoassay under development on the Minicare I-20 platform for point-of-care testing. Analytical performance was evaluated using EDTA venous whole blood, EDTA plasma and capillary whole blood.

Clinical performance of a new point-of-care cardiac troponin I test.

Background: We evaluated the clinical performance of the Minicare cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), a new point-of-care (POC) cTnI test for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a prospective, multicentre study (ISRCTN77371338).

Methods: Of 474 patients (≥18 years) admitted to an emergency department (ED) or chest pain unit (CPU) with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS; ≤12 h from symptom onset), 465 were eligible. Minicare cTnI was tested immediately, 3 h and 6 h after presentation.

Early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

The diagnostic evaluation of acute chest pain has been augmented in recent years by advances in the sensitivity and precision of cardiac troponin assays, new biomarkers, improvements in imaging modalities, and release of new clinical decision algorithms. This progress has enabled physicians to diagnose or rule-out acute myocardial infarction earlier after the initial patient presentation, usually in emergency department settings, which may facilitate prompt initiation of evidence-based treatments, investigation of alternative diagnoses for chest pain, or discharge, and permit better utilization of healthcare resources. A non-trivial proportion of patients fall in an indeterminate category according to rule-out algorithms, and minimal evidence-based guidance exists for the optimal evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of these patients.

Analytical evaluation of a new point of care system for measuring cardiac Troponin I.

Objectives: Point-of-care cardiac troponin testing with adequate analytical performances has the potential to improve chest pain patients flow in the emergency department. We present the analytical evaluation of the newly developed Philips Minicare cTnI point-of-care immunoassay.

Design & Methods: Li-heparin whole blood and plasma were used to perform analytical studies.