To compare the sensitivity and precision of the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) test Cephotest to that of APTT methods in current use, Cepho-test and current APTT method (Leuven and Milan: Locally modified Thrombofax/kaolin procedures; Malmoe: Automated APTT; Oslo: APTT of human brain/kaolin) were performed in parallel (20 tests) on lyophilized standard plasmas of 4 levels of factors VIII. The mean value (1 standard deviation) of Cephotest on Control Plasma Normal was 36.3 (2.21) s in Leuven, 31.7 (1.13) s in Oslo, 35.0 (1.36) s in Milan and 35.0 (1.16) s in Malmoe. The corresponding values of the local APTT methods were 50.2 (I.58) s, 34.5 (1.27) s, 51.9 (1.17) s and 38.8 (1.23) s, respectively. In Oslo, Milan and Malmoe, the sensitivity of Cephotest was superior to that of the local APTT reagent at all levels of factor VIII. In Leuven, the local APTT method had a higher ratio than Cephotest. There was no statistical significant differences between the standard deviation of Cephotest and the local APTT methods. The study indicates that Cephotest has a high sensitivity, satisfactory precision and is subjected to only minor interlaboratory variations.
The Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) test, Cephotest, was compared to other APTT methods in current use in 4 specialized coagulation laboratories. In 3 of 4 laboratories, the sensitivity of Cephotest was superior (P < 0.001) to that of the local APTT method. There was no statistically significant difference between the APTT methods with regard to precision of repetitive testing.
In each laboratory, the normal range of Cephotest was estimated on freshly collected plasma samples from healthy subjects. A mean value between 28.8 and 35.8 s, with a standard deviation of 1.1–3.3 s, was obtained.
It is concluded that the composition of the APTT method is of importance for the sensitivity of this test, but does not influence the precision of repetitive testing to a significant degree. The use of a standardized reagent facilitates comparison of the results obtained with the APTT method from one laboratory to another.
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