Evaluation of the Ves-Matic Cube 200 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Method

Abstract

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is still a widely used parameter for acute phase inflammation. Recently, new methods based on direct undiluted measurement of ESR in a standard EDTA tube have been developed. We evaluated the analytic performance of one of these new methods, the Ves-Matic Cube 200 (Diesse Diagnostica Senese, Siena, Italy), and compared it with several established Westergren-based diluted methods. The Ves-Matic Cube 200 showed a poor correlation (r = 0.83) with the International Council for Standardization in Haematology Westergren reference method, mainly caused by a considerable negative bias at low ESR levels. Moreover, a random bias was found at higher ESR levels that correlated with hematocrit levels, suggesting a differential influence of packed cell volume on the Ves-Matic Cube 200 results compared with Westergren results. We conclude that the Ves-Matic Cube 200 method is not interchangeable with Westergren-based diluted methods and generates ESR results that are too deviant to be clinically acceptable.

Analytical validation of the iSED automated analyzer for erythrocyte sedimentation rate

“…Hereby, we demonstrated a much better precision of iSED with commercial control samples at both evaluated levels than in a previously published study, while patient samples yielded intrarun CVs similar to already reported data for iSED, with decreasing precision at medium and low ESR levels This is in concordance with data from a lot of validation studies of automated ESR analyzers, regardless of the analyzer type and measurement principle and can be attributed to small numbers rather than poor analytical performance, therefore not being considered clinically significant.…”

Evaluation of Ves‐Matic Cube 200 For Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Determination

“…Curvers and colleagues showed that Ves‐Matic Cube 200 overestimate ESR if the sample has low hematocrit levels . We also found negative correlation between ESR results of Ves‐Matic Cube 200 and hematocrit levels and red blood count.…”

“…We found systemic bias as –0.7 and limits of agreement –32.6 to 31.2 in Bland–Altman analysis compared with Westergren reference method. Furthermore, we found a poorer correlation ( r = 0.82) for the Ves‐Matic Cube 200 method compared with Westergren method than Curvers and colleagues did .…”

“…It has a high sensitivity but low specificity. Interpretation of the results should always be along with the patient's clinical history, examination findings, and results of other tests performed for the patient . Plasma proteins, especially fibrinogen, adhere to the red cell membranes and neutralize the surface negative charges, promoting cell adherence and rouleaux formation.…”

“…In addition, some automated systems measuring the ESR directly from a capped EDTA blood sample tube have been developed and are becoming increasingly common in our country recently . One of these systems is the Ves‐Matic Cube 200 (Diesse Diagnostica Senese, Siena, Italy), which is designed to give ESR results from EDTA‐anticoagulated blood in 20 min . There is no need to draw and transfer the blood, because the instrument executes the analysis of the samples directly from test tubes.…”