Accuracy of rapid blood coagulation testing device FibCare® in a tertiary emergency department

Abstract

AbstractAimFibCare® is a novel point‐of‐care testing device enabling prompt evaluation of fibrinogen levels. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of FibCare® at a tertiary emergency department.MethodsBlood specimens obtained at a tertiary emergency medical center between October 1, 2021, and April 30, 2023, were evaluated. The correlation between the fibrinogen levels assessed via FibCare® and those via the Clauss method was evaluated using the Spearman's test. The discrepancy between the two measurement methods was assessed according to fibrinogen level and diagnosis.ResultsA total of 177 specimens from 147 patients were eligible for the analysis. The median age of the patients was 49 years, and 109 (61.6%) were men. The two measurements had statistically significant but moderate correlation (p < 0.001, ρ = 0.76). FibCare® missed 14 out of 35 cases from patients with hypofibrinogenemia (fibrinogen ≤150 mg/dL assessed by the Clauss method). The discrepancy between the two measurements was significantly greater in specimens with lower fibrinogen levels and those obtained from patients following trauma.ConclusionsFibCare®, a novel point‐of‐care testing device, can be compatible with the Clauss method. However, clinicians should be aware of the risk that FibCare® may underestimate fibrinogen reduction, especially in severe cases and trauma cases.