Comparison of point-of-care analysis using Coaguchek XS and standard laboratory-measured prothrombin time in dogs.

AIMS

The Coaguchek XS is a hand-held coagulation monitor, which is widely available for human testing, and could have applications for canine samples. The aim of this study was a preliminary evaluation of the suitability of this point-of-care device to determine prothrombin time (PT) in dogs by measuring the clinical agreement between the results obtained using the device and standard laboratory testing.

METHODS

The PT in 24 samples from 13 dogs with suspected coagulopathy and 40 samples from 40 healthy dogs was determined concurrently using the point-of-care device and standard laboratory analysis. The clinical agreement between methods was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and error grid analysis.

RESULTS

Four of the paired samples were not suitable for analysis. The point-of-care device showed a 1.29 fold positive systematic bias which, when corrected for, gave excellent clinical agreement. Differences in the results obtained would have influenced clinical decision making in only 3 of 60 (5.0%) samples where the point-of-care result suggested a more prolonged PT than laboratory testing. A measurement error occurred in two point-of-care samples which may have been due to the combination of severe anaemia and severely prolonged PT.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The point-of-care device can be used in dogs and would provide rapid analysis of PT to aid clinical decision making in dogs with suspected rodenticide toxicity. Development of a device-specific reference range for dogs would improve its value.