Advia centaur analyzer

Echocardiography was performed 30 min prior to hemodialysis by a single experienced cardiologist who was blinded to the patients’ clinical and laboratory data. The ejection fraction and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured according to the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography [19 (link)].
As a surrogate marker of atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease, pre-dialytic ankle brachial index (ABI) was measured using Omron VP-1000 Vascular Profilter (Colin, Co. Ltd., Komaki, Japan).
Blood samples for biochemical analysis were obtained from the patient’s arteriovenous access or tunneled dialysis catheter before hemodialysis. Serum CRP level was determined using a particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay (Roche diagnostics, USA). Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration was determined using the ADVIA Centaur^® BNP immunoassay on the ADVIA Centaur analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., Deerfield, IL, USA). Plasma intact-parathyroid hormone (PTH) was measured using an immunochemiluminometric assay on the ADVIA Centaur analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., Deerfield, IL, USA). Urea, albumin, hemoglobin, calcium, phosphate and total CO₂ were measured by standard techniques. Each measurement was repeated three times at weekly intervals; the mean value derived was then used for statistical analysis.

Serum samples were collected at inclusion after an overnight fast. The analysis of TSH, TPOAb, and FT4 was performed within eight hours. The rest of the serum sample was stored in aliquots frozen at −20°C until further use (screening for toxoplasmosis). TPOAb, TSH, and FT4 were assayed on the ADVIA Centaur Analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., Tarrytown, NY) with chemiluminometric detection. TSH was determined using a direct sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay and anti-TPO and FT4 were measured using a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay.
The reference interval for TSH in the first trimester of pregnancy was set at 0.06–3.67 mIU/l [2] (link), the upper limit for TPOAb at 143 kU/l, and the reference interval for FT4 at 9.8–23.1 pmol/l. A positive screening result was thus defined as TSH below 0.06 or above 3.67 mU/l and/or TPOAb above 143 kU/l. The upper limit of the detection range for TPOAb was 10000 kU/l when using automated sample dilution.