Assessment of the point-of-care Cholestech Lipid Analyser for lipid screening in Aboriginal communities

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Aboriginal Australians. Screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors, notably elevated blood lipids, is urgently needed. The small portable Cholestech machine (Point-of-Care Diagnostics) can enzymatically measure total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL cholesterol (without the prior need for precipitation of other lipoproteins)on 35 microlitres of capillary or veinous whole blood in under 5 minutes. It also calculates LDL cholesterol. Its suitability for use in Aboriginal communities was assessed. With its simple operation, fully automated nature, sound analytic performance and ability to produce a full lipid profile in under 5 minutes, the Cholestech would be suitable for the Aboriginal health care setting.