Evidence-based point-of-care diagnostics: current status and emerging technologies

• Published in: Annual review of analytical chemistry (Palo Alto, Calif.) Vol. 6; p. 191
• Main Authors: Chan, Cangel Pui Yee, Mak, Wing Cheung, Cheung, Kwan Yee, Sin, King Keung, Yu, Cheuk Man, Rainer, Timothy H, Renneberg, Reinhard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Acute Coronary Syndrome - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Communicable Diseases - diagnosis; Evidence-Based Medicine; Heart Failure - diagnosis; HIV Infections - diagnosis; Humans; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Miniaturization; Nanostructures; Point-of-Care Systems - trends; Tuberculosis - diagnosis
• ISSN: 1936-1335
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-062012-092641

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics brings tests nearer to the site of patient care. The turnaround time is short, and minimal manual interference enables quick clinical management decisions. Growth in POC diagnostics is being continuously fueled by the global burden of cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment are crucial in the management of such patients. This review provides the rationale for the use of POC tests in acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, human immunodeficiency virus, and tuberculosis. We also consider emerging technologies that are based on advanced nanomaterials and microfluidics, improved assay sensitivity, miniaturization in device design, reduced costs, and high-throughput multiplex detection, all of which may shape the future development of POC diagnostics.