Background: There is a lack of information on performance of point of care (POC) device measurement of activated clotting time (ACT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) concentration in horses.
Hypothesis: Measurement of ACT and aPTT with two point of care analyzers, Vet-Tube (ACT POC) or Coag DX (aPTT POC), in heparinized and non-heparinized equine blood will be accurate and precise.
Methods: Whole blood samples (10 mL) without anticoagulant were collected from 30 horses. Fifteen of the 30 horses had an additional 10 mL sample collected that was treated with 7 ul of heparin. ACT and aPTT were measured for all samples using the Vet-Tube (ACT POC), Coag DX (aPTT POC) and conventional stationary analyzers (Medtronic ACT or Stago Chemistry) within 30 minutes of collection.
Results: Samples were analyzed using Pearson correlation and Bland Altman analysis. ACT POC and stationary analyzer values showed moderate correlation, acceptable bias and a low coefficient of variation; and were in good agreement for both non-heparinized (n=30, p=0.64) and heparinized samples (n=15, p=0.43). aPTT POC and stationary analyzer values showed strong correlation but high bias and a high coefficient of variation. The aPTT POC and stationary chemistry analyzer values were in poor agreement for non-heparinized samples (n=30, p=0.0002)) but had good agreement for heparinized samples (n=15, p=0.03).
Conclusions: ACT POC measurement is accurate and precise and could present a useful low-cost option for patients with coagulopathy or receiving heparin therapy. aPTT POC measurement may need further optimization.
