Performance Characteristics of DOAC-Remove for Neutralization of the Effects of Apixaban and Rivaroxaban in Lupus Anticoagulant Assays

OBJECTIVES: This study established the performance characteristics of DOAC-Remove for neutralization of the effects of rivaroxaban and apixaban in lupus anticoagulant (LAC) testing. METHODS: Normal donor, LAC control, and patient samples were spiked with rivaroxaban or apixaban to simulate their effects on the dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and dilute prothrombin time (dPT). Anti-Xa activity was measured after spiking and after DOAC-Remove neutralization. Accuracy, complex precision, and reference interval verification were evaluated. RESULTS: DOAC-Remove neutralized rivaroxaban and apixaban concentrations as high as 415 ng/mL and 333 ng/mL, respectively. Percentage positive and negative agreement between the baseline and postneutralization interpretations were 75% or higher for the dRVVT and APTT methods but not for the dPT method. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were 10% or less for all assays except the Staclot-LA delta, which had a standard deviation of 2.5 seconds or CV of 25% or less depending on the level. The laboratory's reference intervals were verified for the dRVVT and APTT assays after DOAC-Remove treatment but not for the dPT assays. CONCLUSIONS: DOAC-Remove appears to have acceptable performance characteristics for neutralizing the effects of rivaroxaban and apixaban in the dRVVT and APTT methods but not in the dPT method.