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Thromb Haemost 2009; 101(03): 535-540
DOI: 10.1160/TH08-08-0528
Cardiovascular Biology and Cell Signalling
Schattauer GmbH

Comparison of activated clotting times obtained using Hemochron and Medtronic analysers in patients receiving anti-thrombin therapy during cardiac catheterisation

Stanley Chia
1   Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
Elizabeth M. Van Cott
2   Pathology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
Christopher O. Raffel
1   Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
Ik-Kyung Jang
1   Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
› Author AffiliationsFinancial support: Funding was provided by the Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital. S. Chia is the recipient of the Health Manpower Development Program Fellowship and National Medical Research Council Medical Research Fellowship, Singapore.
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Publication History

Received: 15 August 2008

Accepted after major revision: 26 February 2008

Publication Date:
24 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Accurate monitoring of anti-thrombin therapy with activated clotting time (ACT) is important to prevent thrombotic and haemorrhagic complications during cardiac catheterisation. Significant variability in ACT tests exists when different analysers are used. Our objective was to compare ACT results obtained using Hemochron→ and Medtronic ACT PLUS→ devices and anti-Xa activity in patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation. Thirty-two patients who received unfractionated heparin or argatroban therapy during cardiac catheterisation were enrolled. Blood sampling was performed to determine ACT values using Hemochron and Medtronic (with high-range cartridges) devices in all patients (n=130 pairs), and anti-Xa activity following heparin administration. In the heparin group, ACT tests (n=95 pairs) showed very good correlation (r=0.84, y=1.31x–0.81; p<0.001). However, Hemochron values were consistently higher and the difference more pronounced with increasing ACT (for ACT>150 sec, mean difference 65 ± 48 sec; p<0.001). Both Hemochron and Medtronic ACT tests correlated well with plasma anti-Xa levels (r=0.85, r=0.81, respectively; p<0.001); Hemochron ACT>300 sec corresponded to anti-Xa>1.48 IU/ml. With concomitant eptifibatide therapy, the divergence in ACT was greater compared to heparin alone. In the argatroban group, ACT tests (n=35 pairs) demonstrated excellent correlation (r=0.94, y=0.61x+79.9; p<0.001). In contrast to the heparin group, ACT values were higher with Medtronic compared to Hemochron. Therefore, despite good correlation between Hemochron and Medtronic ACT results, and strong association with anti-Xa activity, Medtronic ACT values were consistently lower compared to Hemochron following heparin anticoagulation. Paradoxically, Medtronic ACT results were higher after argatroban therapy. Understanding this discrepancy is crucial when using ACT to guide invasive cardiac procedures.

Keywords

Activated clotting time - antithrombin - cardiac catheterisation - heparins
 

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