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A novel whole blood capillary technic for measuring the prothrombin time
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|October 1, 1987
Summary
A new fingerstick device offers accurate prothrombin time (PT) testing using capillary whole blood. This easy-to-use instrument provides immediate results, simplifying monitoring of anticoagulant therapy.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Hematology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Prothrombin time (PT) is crucial for monitoring anticoagulant therapy.
- Current PT methods require venipuncture and laboratory analysis.
- There is a need for simpler, more accessible PT testing methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel capillary whole blood device for PT measurement.
- To compare the accuracy of the new device with established reference methods.
Main Methods:
- Paired capillary whole blood (fingerstick) and reference plasma PTs were analyzed.
- 858 samples from 732 subjects, including normal volunteers and patients on anticoagulants, were tested.
- The study assessed correlation, accuracy, and the impact of hematocrit variations.
Main Results:
- The new instrument showed comparable PT results to the reference method (correlation coefficient of 0.96 for patient samples).
- Fingerstick samples yielded results equivalent to venous whole blood.
- Hematocrit variations within a wide range did not affect instrument performance.
Conclusions:
- The capillary whole blood device provides accurate PT measurements.
- The device simplifies testing by eliminating venipuncture and enabling use by non-laboratory personnel.
- This innovation offers a convenient and accurate alternative for PT monitoring.