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A comparative study of the DuPont antithrombin III and fibrinogen assay systems
Antithrombin III (AT-III) levels are useful for diagnosing thrombosis and for assessing antithrombotic therapy. Fibrinogen levels also are useful in numerous thrombohemorrhagic disorders and for noting cessation of fibrinolysis after thrombolytic therapy. With the availability of these assays on the DuPont aca, a comparative study of AT-III and fibrinogen assays was performed. DuPont assays were compared to Dade Protopath (AT-III) and Auto-Fi (fibrinogen) assays. In 38 instances a third comparative AT-III assay also was used, namely the Kabi S-2238 method (COATEST). Poor correlation existed between the DuPont AT-III and Protopath AT-III, r - sq = 0.53 to 0.61. There also was poor correlation between the DuPont and S-2238 AT-III assay, r - sq = 0.59. Excellent correlation was noted with the Protopath and Kabi AT-III assays, r - sq = 0.90. There was poor correlation between DuPont and Dade fibrinogen levels, r - sq = 0.55. When comparing AT-III values, the DuPont level was consistently higher. DuPont fibrinogen levels also were consistently higher. The DuPont AT-III and fibrinogen levels correlate poorly with existing assays, and higher results than those noted with the other methods appear common. Spuriously high values noted with the DuPont system could misguide clinicians caring for patients with thrombohemorrhagic diseases where they would expect low levels of AT-III or fibrinogen.
Antithrombin III (AT-III) levels are useful for diagnosing thrombosis and for assessing antithrombotic therapy. Fibrinogen levels also are useful in numerous thrombohemorrhagic disorders and for noting cessation of fibrinolysis after thrombolytic therapy. With the availability of these assays on the DuPont aca, a comparative study of AT-III and fibrinogen assays was performed. DuPont assays were compared to Dade Protopath (AT-III) and Auto-Fi (fibrinogen) assays. In 38 instances a third comparative AT-III assay also was used, namely the Kabi S-2238 method (COATEST). Poor correlation existed between the DuPont AT-III and Protopath AT-III, r - sq = 0.53 to 0.61. There also was poor correlation between the DuPont and S-2238 AT-III assay, r - sq = 0.59. Excellent correlation was noted with the Protopath and Kabi AT-III assays, r - sq = 0.90. There was poor correlation between DuPont and Dade fibrinogen levels, r - sq = 0.55. When comparing AT-III values, the DuPont level was consistently higher. DuPont fibrinogen levels also were consistently higher. The DuPont AT-III and fibrinogen levels correlate poorly with existing assays, and higher results than those noted with the other methods appear common. Spuriously high values noted with the DuPont system could misguide clinicians caring for patients with thrombohemorrhagic diseases where they would expect low levels of AT-III or fibrinogen.