IL Introduces Fully Automated HIT Assay Panel

Instrumentation Laboratory (IL) has announced the release of its new HemosIL AcuStar HIT Assay Panel assay, a fully automated panel for the detection of heparin induced antibodies.

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is the development of thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count), following administration of heparin. HIT is one of the most common of all adverse drug reactions, mainly due to the sheer volume of patients receiving Heparin therapy. The reduced platelet count is not usually severe enough to increase risk of bleeding, and if left untreated can cause venous and/or arterial thrombosis.

The HemosIL AcuStar HIT assays are the first on-demand, fully automated, chemiluminescent reagents on a hemostasis testing system for the detection of antibodies associated with HIT. The panel includes HemosIL AcuStar HIT-IgG (PF4-H) and HemosIL AcuStar HIT-Ab (PF4-H).

The ready-to-use, cartridge-based assays offer results in approximately 30 minutes, allowing clinicians to make timely, well-informed therapeutic decisions. Pre-calibrated reagent cartridges provide valuable time and cost savings. The panel has been commercialized for use on the ACL AcuStar system and has been released as a European CE IVD Mark product under the European Directive on in vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices. The HIT assay has not been FDA cleared for use in the U.S.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of HIT testing solutions,” said Remo Tazzi, Director of Hemostasis Marketing at IL. “Arming healthcare providers with better diagnostic tools is our mission, and this test panel is an excellent example of that. Now, management decisions for patients at risk for HIT can be made faster and more effectively than ever before, leading to significant time- and cost-efficiencies, as well as enhanced patient care.”