Interlaboratory Performance in Measurement of Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban Results of the College of American Pathologists External Quality Assessment Program

Oksana Volod, Marian Rollins-Raval, Andrew J. Goodwin, Russell A. Higgins, Thomas Long, Wayne L. Chandler, Neil S. Harris, Huy P. Pham, James Alexander Isom, Karen Moser, John D. Olson, Kristi J. Smock, Amanda VanSandt, Geoffrey Wool, Dong Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context.—Assessing direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) drug levels by reliable laboratory assays is necessary in a number of clinical scenarios. Objective.—To evaluate the performance of DOAC-specific assays for various concentrations of dabigatran and rivaroxaban, assess the interlaboratory variability in measurement of these DOACs, and investigate the responsiveness of the routine clotting assays to various concentrations of these oral anticoagulants. Design.—College of American Pathologists proficiency testing survey data from 2013 to 2016 were summarized and analyzed. Results.—For dabigatran, the interlaboratory coefficient of variation (CV) of ecarin chromogenic assay was broad (ranging from 7.5% to 29.1%, 6.3% to 15.5%, and 6.8% to 9.0% for 100-ng/mL, 200-ng/mL, and 400-ng/mL targeted drug concentrations, respectively). The CV for diluted thrombin time for dabigatran was better overall (ranging from 11.6% to 17.2%, 9.3% to 12.3, and 7.1% to 11.2% for 100 ng/mL, 200 ng/mL, and 400 ng/mL, respectively). The rivaroxaban-calibrated anti-Xa assay CVs also showed variability (ranging from 11.5% to 22.2%, 7.2% to 10.9%, and 6.4% to 8.1% for 50-ng/ mL, 200-ng/mL, and 400-ng/mL targeted drug concentrations, respectively). The prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) showed variable dose- and reagent-dependent responsiveness to DOACs: PT was more responsive to rivaroxaban and aPTT to dabigatran. The undiluted thrombin time showed maximum prolongation across all 3 dabigatran concentrations, making it too sensitive for drug-level monitoring, but supporting its use as a qualitative screening assay. Conclusions.—DOAC-specific assays performed reasonably well. While PT and aPTT cannot be used safely to determine DOAC degree of anticoagulation, a normal thrombin time excludes the presence of dabigatran.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)145-153
Number of pages9
JournalArchives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Volume146
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Medical Laboratory Technology

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