1 – Programme overview

This External Quality Assessment programme evaluates the different techniques for detecting Lupus Anticoagulants. The main commercial reagents are represented.

Statistical reports are sent with supporting comments from the expert clinical biologists who coordinate the programme.

Participants are free to assay all analytes or only those they are interested in.

2 – Assessment frequency

Number of surveys per year: 4
Number of control samples per survey: 2
Number of samples per year: 8

3 – List of analytes assessed 

• aPTT
• Mixing test
• Rosner index
• Normalised sensitive/insensitive aPTT ratio
• Dilute Russell's viper venom test (dRVVT screening and confirmation)
• dRVVT screening and confirmation on mix
• Staclot LA^®
• HemosIL Silica Clotting Time^® (screening and confirmation)

The evaluation of test results is both quantitative and qualitative (negative, positive, equivocal).

4 – Description of the control samples

Lyophilised human control plasma (citrate) (samples to be resuspended in 1 mL of distilled water).

warning Sample volume: if necessary, order an additional kit.