A complete, compact system including instrument and dedicated reagents for the rapid quantitative measurement of D-dimer is suitable for both routine and emergency testing
The Miniquant D-dimer system from Alpha Laboratories provides a rapid and quantitative assay for fibrin D-dimer.
Elevated levels of D-dimer are found in clinical conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
The Miniquant system has the sensitivity required to be used for its negative predictive value (NPV) to rule out DVT and PE.
The system has recently been evaluated by the MDA for its NPV.
Copies of report (MDA 02100) are available free of charge to NHS organisations and can be obtained directly from the agency.
The Miniquant system consists of a compact two-channel instrument equipped with an LED laser and test kits that also contains standards and controls.
The assay principle is based on latex agglutination.
In the presence of D-dimer, latex particles coated with monoclonal antibodies against D-dimer, form large aggregates.
The rate of agglutination is detected as an increase in turbidity and is proportional to the amount of D-dimer in the sample.
The standard curves are programmed into the instrument and results are obtained within three minutes, making it suitable for both routine and emergency testing.
