Answers from the Lab

Rajiv Pruthi, M.B.B.S., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ serotonin release assay achieves high sensitivity and specificity while avoiding the use of radioactive materials. Serotonin release testing is an important tool in the diagnosis of heparin induced thrombocytopenia, or HIT, which can have devastating consequences for patients.

Show Notes

(01:51)
 Can you give a brief overview of the assay you developed and how it works?

(06:28)
 The serotonin release assay is utilized within five to 14 days of heparin exposure. Is there a subsequent time when this test would be utilized?

(10:28) 
 How does this assay improve upon previous approaches?

(12:58)
 Is there greater specificity and sensitivity with the use of nonradioactive materials?

(13:46)
 What interesting findings have we had through the process of developing and validating this assay?

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