Randox Laboratories has introduced the 'high-sensitivity' Troponin T control, which is claimed to ensure accuracy and precision of hsTnT assays.
Cardiac Troponins are widely used in the detection of Myocardial Infarction (MI), with even small elevations in the levels of cardiac troponin indicating damage to the heart and possible MI.
In light of this, both the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommend the use of a highly sensitive troponin assay with excellent precision (less than 10 per cent CV) at the 99th percentile of the reference range.
Before now, suitable control materials for high-sensitivity Troponin T with target values sufficiently close to the 99th percentile of the reference range (14ng/L) were unavailable.
However, the recent launch of the Randox Acusera 'high-sensitivity' Troponin T Control is claimed to provide laboratories with the ability to more accurately monitor and assess the performance of their hsTnT assay.
The Troponin T levels found in the Randox control are claimed to be significantly lower than those found in other manufacturers' QC material.
Target values for the Randox control are generally around 16.5ng/litre (range 12.4 - 20.6ng/litre) and are closest to the 14ng/ml cut off.
The Acusera Troponin T control has a shelf life of up to four years, meaning the same lot of control material can be used for longer, thus reducing the problems associated with lot crossovers.
A reconstituted stability of five days at +2 to +8C or four weeks at -20C minimises unnecessary waste and provides cost savings.
Randox also manufactures a liquid cardiac control with assayed values for 10 cardiac markers, including BNP, CK-MB, D-dimer, Digoxin, Homocysteine, hsCRP, Myoglobin, NT-ProBNP, Troponin I and Troponin T.
As the name suggests, the control is liquid ready to use for added convenience and ease of us.
Three levels are available, spanning the complete clinical range, with cut-off levels for both Troponin I and T in line with international recommendations.
