Recommendations for Improving Cholesterol Measurement: Executive Summary. A Report from the Laboratory Standardization Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program

摘要

The report outlines the technical and organizational elements needed to ensure the overall reliability of cholesterol measurements. Detailed recommendations that should result in more reliable cholesterol values are also provided to manufacturers of analytical instruments and diagnostic reagents, clinical laboratorians, and those who are involved with the use of desk-top analyzers. Step-by-step guidelines on how to implement the standardization of cholesterol measurements are provided. National resources are described in sufficient detail to facilitate their utilization to ensure more reliable cholesterol measurement through the standardization program. Recommendations are made for achieving more consistent results by considering preanalytical and analytical factors that may affect cholesterol values.