Stago's Ecarin Chromogenic Assay Provides Precise Research-Use DTI Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Paul Riley, PhD
Manager, Research Use Products
(973) 631-1200
Paul.Riley@stago-us.com

Stago's Ecarin Chromogenic Assay Provides Precise Research-Use DTI Results

November 18, 2010, Parsippany, NJ — The ecarin chromogenic assay (ECA) from Diagnostica Stago, Inc. (Stago), is a highly-specific tool for determining the exact direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI) concentration in plasma without interference from abnormal prothrombin or fibrinogen levels.

“Direct thrombin indicators are increasing in clinical use,” notes Robert Bachkosky, Stago’s Director of National Sales & Marketing. “This automated assay provides a standardized and reproducible method to monitor them.”

Unlike activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), Stago’s ECA results are independent of coagulation factors and plasmatic inhibitors within the sample; and as it is not influenced by lupus anticoagulants, the assay allows for specific determinations. ECA is insensitive to heparin, LMWH, danaparoid, fondaparinux and direct factor Xa antagonists. This facilitates bridging and transition to other anticoagulants, and dosage adaptation in high-risk patients. Additionally, the ECA dose response results are linear and do not plateau at elevated concentrations.

The ECA kit may be adapted to Stago’s automated instruments, and the wide measuring range includes two reagent formats dedicated to each DTI type (ECA-H for recombinant hirudins, ECA-T for synthetic DTIs.) Recombinant hirudins include desirudin (REVASC^®, Iprivask^®) and lepirudin (REFLUDAN^®). DTIs include argatroban (Argatroban), bivalirudin (Angiomax^®), and dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa^®). Specific standards and controls are also available. The ECA kit is for research use only in the United States and Canada, and is not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Diagnostica Stago, Inc. is the exclusive provider of the Diagnostica Stago Hemostasis product lines in the United States and offers a complete system of coagulation instruments and optimized reagent kits for research as well as for routine analysis. Diagnostica Stago, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Diagnostica Stago, S.A.S. France, a leader in the development and manufacture of Hemostasis products. For more information about any Stago product or service, please call 800-222-COAG or visit our website at www.stago-us.com.

REVASC is a registered trademark of Canyon Pharmaceuticals Group. Iprivask is a registered trademark of Novartis AG. REFLUDAN is a registered trademark of Bayer, Inc. Argatroban is manufactured, distributed and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Angiomax is a registered trademark of The Medicines Company. Pradaxa is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.

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