EVALUATION
OF THE ANALYZER STA-R FOR THE STUDY OF NEONATAL AND PEDIATRIC HEMOSTASIS
Wu R1,
Hurtaud-Roux MF2, Boirie M2, Schlegel N2
1 Hematology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Beijing,
China
2 Service d’Hematologie Biologique,
Hopital Robert Debre, Paris, France
The assays of the
hemostasis system components in neonates and children represent a big
challenge: miniaturization, software compliance…
Objective: To evaluate the capacities of adaptation of the
STA-R (Diagnostica Stago, Asnieres, France) to the study of pediatric
hemostasis.
Material and methods: STA-R is an automated multiparametric
coagulation analyzer able to perform either clotting, chromogenic or
immunologic assays. Classical studies have included:
1) within-run assays (n=21, 2 control levels) and
day-to-day precision studies (n=20, 2 control levels) for the following
tests: Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT),
Factors (F) II, VII+X, V, fibrinogen, antithrombin (AT); 2) comparison of the results of APTT,
FII, FVII+X, FV and fibrinogen assays (in 50 plasmas) obtained with STA-R
and STA (analyzer currently used, in our pediatric laboratory). Specific
pediatric evaluation has included: 1) comparison of the STA-R and STA results for low
concentrations of the coagulation factors; 2) determination of the lowest dead volume; 3) introduction of peculiar samples
among «routine» series.
Results: Within-run assays and day-to-day precision studies
have confirmed the good performances of the STA-R. The comparison of the
STA-R and STA results from 50 plasmas shows a correlation coefficient of
0.990, 0.995, 0.996, 0.996 and 0.997 for APTT, fibrinogen, FII, FV and
FVII+X respectively. Such results are confirmed for low concentrations of
coagulation factors. The acceptable dead volume could be lowered down to 50
microliters. Very small samples, selected assays and emergencies could be
easily introduced among routine series.
Conclusion: The STA-R showed very good technical performances.
Thanks to its software compliance, the STA-R is adapted to the routine
tests as well as to the very specific samples of neonates and children.