Validation of a point of care lipid analyser using a hospital based reference laboratory

Background Lipid measurements are essential in cardiovascular disease management in primary care. However, utilizing hospital laboratories may result in excess patient travel, sample loss and repeat clinic visits. Point of care (POC) lipid measurement would overcome these difficulties but has not been validated in an Irish setting. Aim To compare POC lipid profile measurements using a cholestech LDX analyser with a hospital reference laboratory (Lab). Method One-hundred subjects (30 men,70 women) participated. Finger prick and venous samples were analysed directly by Cholestech LDX and the Lab. Results A broad range of lipid values were measured. Absolute differences between POC and Lab measurements were insignificant except for a small over-estimation by the POC method of triglyceride 0.25 mmol/l (95% CI 0.17 to 0.24), and an underestimation of HDLc - 0.11 mmol/l (95% CI -0.143 to -0.078). There were significant correlations between POC and Lab. levels; total cholesterol r = 0.92, triglyceride r = 0.93, HDLc r = 0.92 and LDLc r = 0.86 (all p < 0.0001). Conclusion These results validate the use of the Cholestech LDX(R) analyser for point of care lipid measurements in clinical practice, provided well trained operators are supported by a hospital laboratory delivering quality assurance support.