The diagnostic accuracy of using a predictive equation for liver volume derived from simple sonographic measurements in the determination of hepatomegaly

Abstract BACKGROUND The diagnostic accuracy of serum creatinine and cystatin C (Cys) as early predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been debated. We investigated the diagnostic sensitivities, diagnostic specificities, and variations from baseline for serum creatinine and Cys in CIN. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 166 patients at risk for CIN at baseline, and at 12, 24, and 48 h after exposure to contrast media. CIN occurred in 30 patients (18%). Changes (Δ) compared to baseline in serum creatinine and Cys were evaluated at the predefined time points. ROC curve analysis was performed for the Δ 12-h basal serum creatinine and Cys. RESULTS The Δ serum creatinine at 12 h from baseline was the earliest predictor of CIN [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.80; P < 0.001]. The Δ serum creatinine 15% variation [0.15 mg/dL (13.2 μmol/L)] yielded 43% diagnostic sensitivity and 93% diagnostic specificity. The ΔCys at 12 h from baseline performed significantly worse than serum creatinine (AUC = 0.48; P = 0.74). CONCLUSIONS Variations from the serum creatinine baseline offer better diagnostic accuracy for predicting CIN at an earlier stage than similar variations in Cys. An additional diagnostic value of Cys over the determination of serum creatinine in the setting of CIN was not observed.

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Comparison between B·R·A·H·M·S PCT direct, a new sensitive point-of-care testing device for rapid quantification of procalcitonin in emergency department patients and established reference methods – a prospective multinational trial

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) ◽

10.1515/cclm-2015-0437 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Alexander Kutz ◽

Pierre Hausfater ◽

Michael Oppert ◽

Murat Alan ◽

Eva Grolimund ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Reference Method ◽

Point Of Care Test ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

Work Up

AbstractProcalcitonin (PCT) is increasingly being used for the diagnostic and prognostic work up of patients with suspected infections in the emergency department (ED). Recently, B·R·A·H·M·S PCT direct, the first high sensitive point-of-care test (POCT), has been developed for fast PCT measurement on capillary or venous blood samples.This is a prospective, international comparison study conducted in three European EDs. Consecutive patients with suspicion of bacterial infection were included. Duplicate determination of PCT was performed in capillary (fingertip) and venous whole blood (EDTA), and compared to the reference method. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by correlation and concordance analyses.Three hundred and three patients were included over a 6-month period (60.4% male, median age 65.2 years). The correlation between capillary or venous whole blood and the reference method was excellent: rThis study found a high diagnostic accuracy and a faster time to result of B·R·A·H·M·S PCT direct in the ED setting, allowing shortening time to therapy and a more wide-spread use of PCT.

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