Stago’s next-generation ecarin-based chromogenic assay for dabigatran, the STA-ECA II, is available on the STA R Max, STA-R and STA Compact Max systems. With STA-ECA II, Stago provides a complete portfolio of assays to investigate and measure direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in cases of emergency such as haemorrhage, urgent surgery or invasive procedure.
Fully automated with barcoded loading on Stago’s high-throughput analysers, STA- ECA II provides laboratories with an efficient and standardised approach to screening samples to assess the risk of bleeding. The STA-ECA II is a highly-specific tool for directly measuring dabigatran concentration in plasma and is insensitive to lupus anticoagulants and heparin, along with coagulation factor and fibrinogen levels. With long onboard stability (three days), and at 2–8°C (28 days), Stago’s STA-ECA II is suitable for all types of laboratory activity.
Compared to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based methods, STA- ECA II demonstrates excellent correlation for the measurement of total dabigatran (Pradaxa) concentrations. It offers an advantage over other methods especially for samples with low concentrations, providing accurate measurement down to 15 ng/mL in the low range.
As Stago UK’s general manager Leanne Annereau explained: “Stago provides clinicians with a complete anticoagulant line, able to accurately measure DOAC concentrations across the entire measurement range, including small volume samples. This gives them greater confidence in results ahead of instigating urgent surgery or procedures.”