The evaluation of two automated soluble fibrin assays for use in the routine hospital laboratory

IntroductionThe soluble fibrin monomer (sFM) assay, like the D-dimer (DDi) assay, has the potential to be used both as an aid in the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and as a thrombotic marker. It differs from DDi in that it is a much earlier produced fragment produced only by thrombin action on fibrinogen, whereas DDi is a much later produced fragment formed by plasmin cleavage of cross-linked fibrin. MethodsIn our study, we compared two commercially available automated sFM assays in the routine hospital setting using samples obtained from the general hospital ward and the emergency room. The results obtained with the two automated assays (Stago LIA sFM assays and the LPIA-Iatro SF assay) were compared with each other and with the results obtained using the routine semiquantitative hemagglutination assay. ResultsThe study showed that both automated assays were comparable with each other. No patient sample previously classified as positive would be missed, but with the higher sensitivity in the automated tests, more samples are positive. ConclusionIn conclusion, we suggest that both automated tests are suitable for routine laboratory use. Both assays had the advantage over the hemagglutination assay in that previously frozen samples could be used, and the assays are easier and quicker to perform. The LIA sFM Stago has slightly better sensitivity but has a tendency to lower specificity than the Iatro SF test.