Automation 2 Flashcards
No interference from specimen lipemia or bilirubinemia (icterus)
Mechanical (Advantages)
Ability to use specimen and reagent volumes as small as 25 mL in some instruments
Mechanical (Advantages)
Able to detect weak clots
Mechanical (Advantages)
Reliance on the integrity of the entire coagulation cascade
Mechanical (Disadvantages)
Inability to observe graph of clot formation
Mechanical (Disadvantages)
Good precision
Photo-optical (Advantages)
Increased test menu flexibility and specimen quality information when multiple wavelengths are used
Photo-optical (Advantages)
Ability to observe graph of clot formation with some instrumentation
Photo-optical (Advantages)
Interference from lipemia, hemolysis, bilirubinemia, and increased plasma proteins; this issue has been addressed by some manufacturers with readings from multiple wavelengths
Photo-optical (Disadvantages)
May not detect short clotting times owing to long lag phase
Photo-optical (Disadvantages)
May not detect small friable clots that are translucent
Photo-optical (Disadvantages)
Ability to measure proteins that do not clot
Chromogenic (Advantages)
More specific than clot-based assays
Chromogenic (Advantages)
Expanded menu options to replace clottable assays affected by preanalytical variables, such as heparin, thrombin inhibitors (e.g., argatroban, dabigatran) or FXa inhibitors (e.g., rivaroxaban)
Chromogenic (Advantages)
Most automated systems now have cost-effective chromogenic capabilities
Chromogenic (Advantages)
Limited by wavelength capabilities of some instruments
Chromogenic (Disadvantages)
May need large test volume to be cost effective
Chromogenic (Disadvantages)
Ability to automate tests previously available only with manual, time-consuming methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
Immunologic (Advantages)
Expanded test menu capabilities
Immunologic (Advantages)
Limited number of automated tests available
Immunologic (Disadvantages)
Higher cost of instruments and reagents
Immunologic (Disadvantages)
May need to have additional instruments available to run
routine tests in laboratories without automated coagulation analyzers that have random access capability
Immunologic (Disadvantages)
Ability to measure antigen-antibody reactions for proteins present in small concentrations
Nephelometric (Advantages)
• Limited number of tests available
• Higher cost of reagents
• Need for special staff training
Nephelometric (Disadvantages)
