Alinity hq platelet results are equivalent with the international reference method in thrombocytopenic samples

Introduction Accurate and precise platelet (PLT) count is critical for the appropriate management of patients with thrombocytopenia. This study evaluated the performance of PLT counting with the Abbott Alinity hq hematology analyzer, which utilizes multi‐dimensional optical technology. Methods Imprecision, linearity, and accuracy were assessed per CLSI guidelines. Alinity hq PLT results were compared to the international flow cytometry reference method (IRM) in the concentration range of 6.3 to 103.0 × 109/L. Additional comparisons were made with Sysmex XN‐3000 PLT counts: impedance (PLT‐I), optical (PLT‐O), and optical fluorescent (PLT‐F) methods. Results The average within‐run %CV was 4.7% on patient samples with PLT concentrations ranging from 13.1 to 41.7 × 109/L, and the within‐laboratory %CV was 3.6% at the level of 68.2 × 109/L. Linearity evaluation indicated a maximum deviation of 3.1% from the linear fit in the range of 0.1 to 316.8 × 109/L. Comparison between Alinity hq and the IRM PLT counts yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and predicted bias of 0.0 and −0.5 × 109/L at 10.0 and 20.0 × 109/L transfusion thresholds, respectively. Alinity hq PLT counts also correlated well with Sysmex PLT counts, with strongest correlation obtained with PLT‐F and PLT‐O (r = .99) methods. Conclusion This study demonstrated excellent analytical performance of Alinity hq PLT counting in thrombocytopenic samples, equivalency with the IRM and strong agreement with Sysmex PLT‐F and PLT‐O methods. The Alinity hq multi‐dimensional optical PLT count is available with every CBC without additional reagents and may help promote efficiency in clinical laboratories.