Performances of CYFRA 21-1, Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Their Combination for Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Performance Evaluation of the ABL90 FLEX PLUS Point-of-Care Analyzer in Measuring Creatinine Levels

Background@#To diagnose acute renal failure, creatinine levels in whole blood are typically assessed using point-of-care testing (POCT) methods. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed POCT blood gas analyzer, the ABL90 FLEX PLUS (Radiometer, Denmark), which can measure creatinine in blood. @*Methods@#Precision and linearity of the ABL90 FLEX PLUS were evaluated and compared with those of the Beckman Coulter AU5800 (Beckman Coulter, USA), according to the CLSI guidelines for creatinine measurement performance. @*Results@#For the ABL90 FLEX PLUS, the total imprecision (%CV) levels of two control materials were measured to be 0.0% and 0.8%, while linearity was evaluated, with the R2 value measured to be 0.9993 (0.4-8.4 mg/dL). Compared to the AU5800, the ABL90 FLEX PLUS correlation coefficient (r) was found to be 0.989. The 95% limits of agreement were determined to be -0.649 and 0.643 mg/dL (-18.8% and 17.8%). @*Conclusions@#The ABL90 FLEX PLUS exhibited good performance for creatinine test. This indicates that the ABL90 FLEX PLUS can be potentially useful in clinical laboratories.

Cardiac diastolic dysfunction predicts poor prognosis in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early manifestation of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the effect of LVDD on survival has not been clarified, especially in decompensated LC. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 70 patients with decompensated LC, including ascites or variceal bleeding, at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from April 2013 to April 2015. The cardiac function of these patients was evaluated using 2D echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. The diagnosis of LVDD was based on the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The primary endpoint was overall survival. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (62.9%) had LVDD. During follow-up (22.3 months), 18 patients died (16 with LVDD and 2 without LVDD). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with LVDD than in those without LVDD (31.1 months vs. 42.6 months, P=0.01). In a multivariate analysis, the Child-Pugh score and LVDD were independent predictors of survival. Moreover, patients with a ratio of early filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') ≥ 10 (LVDD grade 2) had lower survival than patients with E/e' ratio < 10. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LVDD is associated with poor survival in patients with decompensated LC. Therefore, it may be important to monitor and closely follow LVDD patients.

Critical Value Report: Survey and Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Communication with clinicians in the pre- and post-analytical period to report correct and adequate laboratory test results is crucial. Specifically, the notification of critical values that identify a treatable life-threatening condition should be effectively implemented. Although critical value reporting consists of a series of inter-dependent decisions and processes, standard critical value practices in clinical laboratories have not been agreed upon yet. METHODS: We analyzed the critical value reporting protocols currently used in Korea and performed a systematic review of published literature to provide best practices to improve the quality of critical value reports. RESULTS: Commonly included critical value reports (number of healthcare facilities) are such as followings: hemoglobin (59/59), platelet (52/59), white blood cell (51/59), activated partial thromboplastin time (45/59), glucose (56/59), potassium (55/59), sodium (50/59) total calcium (42/59), creatinine (42/59), and gram stain result when blood culture is positive (24/59). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variations in the critical value report protocols exist among the participating clinical laboratories. Further effort should be invested to standardize the protocol.

Performance Evaluation of the ichroma SMART Analyzer in Measuring C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin Levels

BACKGROUND: For monitoring infection and inflammation episodes, biomarkers of host response, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), are now being recognized as useful tools in the diagnostic process. We aimed at evaluating the analytical performance of the recently developed semi-automated ichroma SMART system (Boditech Med Inc., Korea), which allows measurements of both CRP and PCT. METHODS: We evaluated the analytical performance of the ichroma SMART system and the agreement between its results and the laboratory standards for CRP and PCT measurements. The precision and linearity as well as the method of measurement were compared to the DxC 800 (Beckman Coulter, USA) for CRP and to the VIDAS (bioMerieux SA, France) for PCT, according to corresponding CLSI guidelines. Additionally, we evaluated the carryover rates between specimens. RESULTS: The total precision (% CV) of the ichroma SMART system in measuring low, middle, and high level controls (level 1, 2, 3) was 6.32%, 5.75%, and 3.56% for CRP, and 8.07%, 6.24%, and 6.53% for PCT. In the linearity test, R2 was 0.9997 and 0.9982 for CRP (0.1-336.8 mg/L) and PCT (0.05-60.91 ng/mL), respectively. Good correlation was observed between ichroma SMART and DxC 800 for CRP (r=0.997), and between ichroma SMART and VIDAS for PCT (r=0.992). Carry-over effect was 0.02% for CRP and 0.04% for PCT. CONCLUSIONS: The ichroma SMART system showed an adequate performance and appeared to be a suitable clinical analyzer with a simple operating procedure for the measurement of CRP and PCT.

Evaluation of the CS-6400 Automated Chemistry Analyzer / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Analyzing large numbers of specimens in a short time and generating accurate results while minimizing costs are critical to laboratory tests. The CS-6400 (Dong-A Dirui, China), an automated chemistry analyzer, has been recently developed in China in collaboration with domestic corporations. To assess the performance and usability of the analyzer, we evaluated its analytical performance and clinical usefulness including accuracy and linearity of electrolytes and chemistry tests using HiSens reagent (HBI Co., Korea) with protocols provided by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, and compared these results with those of the formerly used DXC800 (Beckman Coulter, USA), and Vista500 (Siemens, Germany). METHODS: The accuracy, linearity, recovery factor, and sample carryover of the CS-6400 using HiSens reagent were determined for 29 tests-aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transferase, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), amylase, lipase, creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium (MG), HDL cholesterol, rheumatoid factor (RF), LDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, anti-streptolysin O, sodium, potassium, and chloride and the results were compared with the values obtained from the DXC800 and Vista500 to set reference intervals for each test. Serum samples obtained from 128 healthy adults were used for the reference intervals. and values obtained from DXC800 and Vista500 were used to make comparison on and to set reference intervals for each routine. Serum specimens obtained from a total of 128 healthy adults were used for the reference intervals. RESULTS: The coefficient of variation showed excellent values of or =5%). The coefficient of determination (R2) was > or =0.993 with linearity between 0.928 and 1.078 within the useful clinical span. In addition, the recovery factor values of the tests were 84% to 108%, and correlation comparisons were 0.975 except for albumin (0.9516), RF (0.7617), and LDL cholesterol (0.9709). We evaluated whether the CS-6400 contributed to the attempt to minimize the test's cost and running time. Developed in China, the CS-6400 has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and uses indirect ion selective electrodes for electrolytes and colorimetry and turbidimetry for general and specific chemistry items. The tests showed excellent linearity of > or =0.993 using commercial certified linearity material. The recovery factor values of the tests were 93% to 108%, except for LDL cholesterol (84%). Except for the minimum values, percentage sample carryover values for CK and LDH were < or =1% (0.00% and 0.07%, respectively), suggesting that the results of the tests were not affected by sample carryover, and reference interval was present based on sex. CONCLUSIONS: The CS-6400 with HiSens showed excellent analytical performance (precision, linearity, and accuracy). Furthermore, results from the CS-6400 were highly correlated with those obtained from similar tests performed on DXC800 and Vista500. Therefore, the CS-6400 is appropriate for tertiary care hospitals where large volumes of test samples must be processed within a short period with minimal cost.

Stent Fracture at the Proximal Shaft of the Left Main Stem

Stent fracture is likely to be caused due to mechanical stress at the hinge point or kinking movement at the point of aneurysm formation with stent malapposition. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of stent fracture at the proximal shaft of the left main stem in a patient with acute myocardial infarction.

Evaluation of Alterations in Homocysteine Levels According to the Delayed Initiation Time of Centrifugation / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in homocysteine levels with delays in the initiation time of centrifugation. Attempts were made to improve the processing of samples by analyzing the homocysteine levels of patients from a health promotion center, where delays in the initiation of sample centrifugation were expected because of the nature of the workload and operational procedures. METHODS: Forty healthy adults were selected for the measurement of homocysteine levels. The two samples those were obtained from each individual simultaneously and separately were designated as group A (centrifugation initiation time or =2 hours). The degree of deviation from the homocysteine reference interval was also evaluated with samples from 1,134 adults who had medical check-up at a health promotion center from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010. RESULTS: The mean serum homocysteine level in group B was significantly higher than that of group A (12.4 vs. 10.6 micromol/L, P<0.0001). Homocysteine level increased with a mean of 19.4% when the initiation of centrifugation was delayed over 2 hours. In the 1,134 adults who had medical check-up, the numbers outside the reference interval were 334 (29.5%). Abnormal samples with homocysteine levels out of the reference interval were reduced to about 7% in July 2011 through improving sample processing to minimize delays in centrifugation initiation time. CONCLUSIONS: Homocysteine levels rapidly increase as blood sample centrifugation is delayed. Therefore, in order to provide accurate test results immediate centrifugation of blood samples is critical.

Arteriovenous Fistula Dysfunction due to Stent Fracture in the Cephalic Arch / 대한신장학회지

Stent placement is widely used for vascular access stenosis in hemodialysis patients as well as coronary artery stenosis. As its complication, stent fracture is not uncommon and causes restenosis after stent placement in coronary artery stenosis, but it has been rarely reported in venous stenosis of hemodialysis patients. Here we report a case of arteriovenous fistula dysfunction due to stent fracture in the cephalic arch of a hemodialysis patient.

A Case of Pseudomembranous Colitis in a Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient Taking Methotrexate / 대한소화기학회지

Pseudomembranous colitis is mainly caused by antibiotics and Clostridium difficile infection. But conditions such as gastrointestinal surgery, antacid medication, anti-neoplastic agent or immunosuppressive agent which influences the normal flora of colon can induce colitis without the administration of any antibiotics. We experienced a 13 year-old male who was taking low-dose methotrexate for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis complained diarrhea and abdominal pain for 3 weeks. Sigmoidoscopic findings revealed diffuse patch yellowish pseudomembranes on the rectum. Histologic finding was compatible to pseudomembranous colitis. His symptom was improved after stop taking methotrexate and the administration of metronidazole. If a patient treated with immunosuppressive agents or antineoplastic agents complains diarrhea, fever or abdominal pain and has not improved with conservative care, pseudomembranous colitis should be taken into account as a differential diagnosis and prompt treatment is required for better prognosis.

A case of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone associated with paroxetine / 대한내과학회지

Paroxetine is a well-known selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and has been reported to be advantageous for chronic pain control. Paroxetine is increasingly used for various types of chronic pain because of its safety; however, hyponatremia, or syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) associated with paroxetine, has been reported. This complication is relatively rare, but some patients have presented with severe neurological symptoms. Here, we report the first case of SIADH associated with paroxetine in Korea.

Influence of Waist Circumference Index of Metabolic Syndrome on the Establishment of Reference Intervals / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a combination of disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of waist circumference index of metabolic syndrome on the establishment of reference intervals. METHODS: We selected 2,442 adults (1,324 men and 1,118 women) samples who took medical check-up at our hospital health promotion center from January 1, 2008 to May 20, 2008. Study groups were divided into two subgroups by waist circumference. The data was statistically analyzed using SAS 8.2 for Gaussian distribution and t-test. RESULTS: Leukocyte counts, erythrocyte counts, platelet counts, and hs-CRP showed difference in reference intervals, but no significant differences were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). In most of routine chemistry items, reference intervals were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because waist circumference is measured exactly by physician, use of waist circumference for prior sampling in setting of reference intervals would be very useful for selection of healthy person.

The olloimrnunizotion rote of onti-c concurrent with onti-E in R1R1 potients / 대한수혈학회지

Anti-E and anti-c is one of the clinical significant irregular antibodies developing a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction and hemolytic disease of the newborn. Since anti-c occurs frequently with anti-E in immunized people whosoe cells are E-and c-, it has been recommended to select blood of the patient's own R1 phenotype for transfusion, even when the presence of anti-c cannot be demonstrated in his/her serum. To determine the utility of this approach, we reviewed the blood bank laboratory records of patients identified anti-E and anti-c in his/her serum in Severance hospital over a 12 year period (1985-1996). During the 12-year period of study, 53 patients were identified with anti-E and/or anti-c; 30(56.6%) patients had anti-E alone, 6(11.3%) had anti-c, and 17(32.1%) had both. Thirty eight of forty two patients whose Rh-hr phenotypes were tested were R1R1. Of these 38 R1R1 patients, 16 patients (42.1%) presented with anti-c concomitant with anti-E. Ouru study showed that the incidence of antni-c in R1R1 patients with anti-E is similar to that of studies reported in Caucasian groups. We highly suggest the transfusion protocol of prophylactic use of c negative blood for R1R1 patients with anti-E. Furthermore, because anti-c may be present in concentrations too low to be detected, the enzyme technique is recommended in parallel with standard serologic methods for the identification of irregular antibodies.