AQT90 FLEX Opens Up for a New and Better Way of Measuring Troponin T at the Point of Care

COPENHAGEN, September 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Radiometer has added the cardiac marker Troponin T* (TnT) to its AQT90 FLEX immunoassay analyzer for the use at the point of care. According to Radiometer President Peter Kurstein, the new marker enables healthcare professionals to improve processes in emergency rooms and labs, ultimately helping hospitals improve patient care and reduce costs.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100917/408671 )

Faster diagnosis and treatment

European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology guidelines point to troponin as the most definitive method of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) detection. A turnaround time of less than 60 minutes is recommended for diagnosing AMI, which is often not matched by the central lab.

On the AQT90 FLEX, TnT results are available at the point of care in just 12 minutes enabling caregivers to meet recommended guidelines. Because testing is done directly on whole blood and is mostly automated, there is no need for cartridge and sample preparation. "It's the best of both worlds," Kurstein explains. "Clinicians have the results when and where they need them, without having to wait for the lab or deal with the hassles of manual testing."

Compliance and lab control of point-of-care measurements

Compliance is key when providing test results at the point of care. With a correlation of 0.999 to the Roche Elecsys 2010 troponin T 4th generation assay and a correlation of 0.993 to the Roche Elecsys 2010 troponin T 5th generation assay**, TnT measured on the AQT90 FLEX shows a performance comparable to lab assays at the point of care. Automated QC system, user lockout, and full integration to laboratory information systems keep the process compliant and the lab in full control of point-of-care measurements.

Better care and reduced costs

By using the AQT90 FLEX, emergency departments can ensure a fast and accurate process for ruling in/out AMI patients avoiding some of the previously time consuming procedures. "This not only has the potential to reduce overall costs, but also enables hospitals as a whole to better focus their resources on the critically ill and on improving patient care," Kurstein concludes.

About the AQT90 FLEX

The AQT90 FLEX is currently the only platform available today to offer both Troponin I and Troponin T at the point of care. In addition, the AQT90 FLEX also measures CKMB, Myoglobin, NT-proBNP, CRP, D-dimer and sshCG.

Go to http://www.aqt90flex.com

The AQT90 FLEX is not available for sale in the US.

About Radiometer

Radiometer is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and distribution of technologically advanced acute care testing solutions. Radiometer's products and services simplify and automate all phases of acute care testing, so hospitals can get fast results, reduce their workload and the risk of errors, and improve cost effectiveness.

* Nonexclusive license granted under patent rights of Roche Diagnostics

** Ref: Viborg Hospital Correlation Study 2010

SOURCE Radiometer