Coagulation monitoring devices: Past, present, and future at the point of care

Harris, Leanne F.; Killard, Anthony J.; Harris, Leanne F; Killard, Anthony; Castro-L�pez, Vanessa

Abstract

Automated technologies have revolutionised the monitoring of coagulation disorders in the central hospital laboratory setting, allowing for high throughput testing, improved accuracy and precision, accompanied by a marked reduction in human error. However, they still require trained operators and sample transportation. With the advent of point of care (POC) testing, the working principle of traditional coagulometers was used as the foundation for the development of miniaturised devices. A number of POC coagulation devices have been commercially available for many years now, allowing the patient to assume more control over the management of their own medication, e.g. warfarin. While POC devices for measuring anticoagulation have relied principally on clotting time tests, novel platelet function tests, and factor-specific assays based on enzymatic or immunoassay principles are becoming available, driven by the emergence of new anticoagulant drugs, in addition to the inability of clotting tests to accurately detect many thrombotic disorders. This review highlights recent progress in the development of POC coagulation monitoring technologies and examines their future potential in clinical diagnostics. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Journal: TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
• Print ISSN: 0165-9936
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-3142
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Pages: 85-95
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2013.05.009
• Keywords: anticoagulant, blood, coagulation, clotting time, device, point of care
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/938459
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2013.05.009