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Lewes, January 31 2006 |
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The new CoaguChek XS system gives more patients access to the advantages of Coagulation Monitoring at the Point of Care |
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Increased safety and ease of use for patients on oral anticoagulation therapy from a new generation of coagulation monitoring device
Today, CoaguChek XS, a new coagulation monitoring system for international normalised ratio (INR) monitoring in the UK has been launched by Roche Diagnostics. This new device allows more patients on long-term oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) to benefit from the advantages of coagulation self-monitoring, thanks to its user-friendly design and new safety features.
It is estimated that around 950,000 people in the UK are currently taking warfarin1 and the service load for monitoring anticoagulation is expected to increase by a factor of five over the next decade2. In line with the Expert Patient initiative, self-monitoring offers patients more independence and flexibility. Being more involved in the management of their condition can empower patients and improve treatment adherence, as well as reducing healthcare professionals' workload.
Carol Waterfield, Anticoagulation Nurse Specialist at Erewash PCT says: "Using the CoaguChek XS system will make a real difference to patients' independence, allowing them the freedom to do things they couldn't before and the peace of mind that the results3 are reliable. In my experience, self-testing improves patient compliance and builds a stronger relationship between the patient and the healthcare professional."
The CoaguChek XS system provides patients with information about their INR level on the spot, using a single drop of blood from the patient's fingertip. It provides accurate, fast results, which are comparable to standard laboratory results . Should the INR deviate from the normal range, this allows for immediate adjustment of the dose of medication to a level which protects them from major complications such as thrombosis (excessive clotting) or bleeding (excessive anticoagulation).
The CoaguChek XS system is the follow-up device to the proven CoaguChek S and encompasses several new technical developments including: a choice between top-dosing and side-dosing options, allowing easier application of blood; a built-in quality control system which continuously checks the device and the testing strips to ensure that the results are correct before they are displayed; and testing strips stable at room temperature, so there is no longer a need to keep them refrigerated. The device is small (size of a palm) and light (175 g with batteries).
Eve Knight of AntiCoagulation Europe, says: "For many patients, being involved in their treatment helps them feel more in control of their health and their lives. CoaguChek XS is very user-friendly and will give patients more confidence and flexibility to test their INR anywhere, anytime."
About CoaguChek products
Since 1994, more than 150.000 patients around the globe on oral anticoagulant therapy have benefited from INR self-monitoring with instruments from the CoaguChek family. The CoaguChek XS system represents the third generation of coagulation monitoring devices from Roche Diagnostics for use at the Point of Care.
About oral anticoagulation therapy
People suffering from a disease such as atrial fibrillation or with a mechanical heart valve, need protection against thrombosis. They are therefore put on life-long anticoagulation therapy (coumarin derivatives = Vitamin K antagonists) in order to thin their blood. It is important to monitor the therapeutic effects of anticoagulant drugs as each patient reacts differently to them, and to keep potential risks at the lowest possible level. Scheduling the dose of anticoagulants in an optimal way can reduce the incidence of bleeding complications without increasing that of thromboembolic events.
Patients conventionally have to go to a laboratory or to their physician's, get a venous sample drawn and measured later on. This can take up to several hours or even a few days, potentially delaying the therapeutic decision (adjusting their dosage).
The CoaguChek XS system gives patients information about their level of anticoagulation directly on the spot and allows them with the help of their healthcare professional to adjust if necessary the doses of medication to a level which protects them from major complications such as thrombosis (excessive clotting) or bleeding (excessive anticoagulation).
Studies show that staying within this INR therapeutic range reduces significantly the risk of major complications4.
About Roche and Roche Diagnostics
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2004 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled 21.7 billion Swiss francs, while the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.8 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Roche's Diagnostics Division offers a uniquely broad product portfolio and supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories world-wide.
For further information, please visit our websites
www.roche.com,
www.roche-diagnostics.com,
www.roche.co.uk,
www.roche-diagnostics.co.uk and
www.coaguchek.co.uk.
All mentioned trademarks are legally protected
1 Gardiner et al. Patient self-testing is a reliable and acceptable alternative to laboratory INR monitoring. British Journal of Haematology. 2004; 128: 242-247.
2 Fitzmaurice DA et al. Self-management of oral anticoagulation: randomised trial. BMJ. 2005; 331(7524): 1057.
3 Shiach CR et al. Reliability of point-of-care prothrombin time testing in a community clinic: a randomized crossover comparison with hospital laboratory testing , British Journal of Haematology. 2002; 119: 370-375.
4 e.g.: Comparing Self-Management of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy with Clinic Management; Annals of Internal Medicine. 2005;142:1-10; ACOA study
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