Sonoclot coagulation analysis: a study of test variability.
OBJECTIVE
To test the reproducibility of Sonoclot coagulation analysis (SCA; Sienco Inc, Morrison, CO). The authors wished to determine if the mix/release of the preloaded celite activator in standard Sono-cuvettes could be responsible for the high variation coefficients for SCA parameters with citrated whole blood and if citrated whole blood is optimal for SCA.


METHODS
A prospective trial.


METHODS
A large academic teaching medical center.


METHODS
Eight healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Repeated blood sampling was performed through indwelling radial artery catheters. Seven different Sonoclot analyzers were used to test seven different types of analysis procedures in the volunteers, involving activators of different types and amounts and in different forms, and the use of citrated or native whole blood.


RESULTS
Two-way and one-way ANOVA, variance, variance analysis, and Tukey's test were used to evaluate differences in SCA methods and volunteer influence. A high variance, with SDs up to 200% of the median values of the SCA parameters with recalcified citrated blood and the standard Sono-cuvette, was confirmed. SCA with native blood and/or the use of other types of preloaded activators, ie, kaolin, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced this variance. Repeated SCAs further reduced the variance to 10% to 35% of the variance for a single analysis (standard cuvette and native blood).


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement of the activator in the Sonocuvette, use of native whole blood, and repeated Sonoclot analyses reduced the previously reported high variability of this instrument.
Ekbäck
G
G
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, University of Orebro, Sweden.
Carlsson
O
O
Schött
U
U
D000328:Adult; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019343:Citric Acid; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007616:Kaolin; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013916:Thrombelastography; D014914:Whole Blood Coagulation Time
D007616:Kaolin; D019343:Citric Acid; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth