DOAC Dipstick for detecting direct oral anticoagulants

The technology described in this briefing is the DOASENSE DOAC Dipstick. It is used for detecting direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in urine.

The innovative aspects are that the technology is a point-of-care test with results available within 10 minutes. The test is also a non-invasive method of detecting DOACs compared with standard laboratory tests that involve collecting a blood sample.

The intended place in therapy would be instead of standard laboratory tests used to detect DOACs in emergency settings, or before elective surgery for people taking DOACs.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 3 studies involving over 1,000 people taking DOACs. They suggest that the DOAC Dipstick test can detect DOACs in urine with non-inferior (for factor Xa inhibitors) or superior (for thrombin inhibitors) specificity and sensitivity, compared with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Key uncertainties around the evidence or technology are that the evidence is limited in quantity and quality. There is currently no evidence assessing the effect of the test on clinical decision making and long-term clinical outcomes in the NHS.

The cost of the DOAC Dipstick is £15 per strip (excluding VAT).