Abstract
The determination of fibrinogen levels is one of the most important coagulation measurements in medicine. It plays a crucial part in diagnostic and therapeutic decisions, often associated with time-critical conditions. The commonly used measurement is the Clauss fibrinogen assay (CFA) where plasma is activated by thrombin reagent and which is conducted by mechanical/turbidimetric devices. As quartz crystal microbalance sensors with dissipation (QCM-D) based devices have a small footprint, can be operated easily and allow measurements independently from sample transportation time, laboratory location, availability and opening hours, they offer a great opportunity to complement laboratory CFA measurements. Therefore, the objective of the work was to (1) transfer the CFA to the QCM-D method; (2) develop an easy, time- and cost-effective procedure and (3) compare the results with references. Different sensor coatings (donor’s own plasma; gold surface) and different QCM-D parameters (frequency signal shift; its calculated turning point; dissipation signal shift) were sampled. The results demonstrate the suitability for a QCM-D-based CFA in physiological fibrinogen ranges. Results were obtained in less than 1 min and in very good agreement with a standardized reference (Merlin coagulometer). The results provide a good basis for further investigation and pave the way to a possible application of QCM-D in clinical and non-clinical routine in the medical field.
Highlights
Human haemostasis is a very complex and meticulously balanced system that requires sequential enzymatic activation and smooth cooperation of a set of different coagulation parameters
The assessment of fibrinogen levels plays an important part for medical diagnoses, treatment and screening
We have successfully developed an advanced quartz crystal microbalance sensors with dissipation (QCM-D) sensor device for coagulation measurements [10] with a high degree of correlation to activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) measurements [22,25]
Summary
Human haemostasis is a very complex and meticulously balanced system that requires sequential enzymatic activation and smooth cooperation of a set of different coagulation parameters. Fibrinogen (Coagulation Factor I) is a major plasma protein and marks the crucial end point of the coagulation cascade. Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin followed by its polymerization results in formation of a mashed and insoluble clot which stops bleeding. The reference range level of fibrinogen in humans lies generally between 1.5–4.0 g/L [1]. The assessment of fibrinogen levels plays an important part for medical diagnoses, treatment and screening. Besides prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen is the third most frequently assessed non-cellular coagulation parameter in medical laboratories and serves routinely as a diagnostic tool for global assessment of coagulation function [1]
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