VerifyNow P2Y12 Assay: Change to PRU

I received this truncated communication on July 16 from Michael Suter with no follow-up, but I post it regardless, as Accumetrics’ decision to change their P2Y12 cartridge report seems to be a concern for many:
“We monitor Plavix therapy using the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay kit. Accumetrics is in the process of discontinuing the reporting of percent inhibition, leaving the PRU value as the only reported result. There is good documentation of the cutoff for effective therapy…” (message ends)
Thank you, Michael, and I encourage you to contact Fritsma Factor again with your complete message. I’ve just returned from the American Society for Clinical Chemistry and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science annual meeting in downtown Los Angeles, CA, where I had the opportunity to speak with Debra Feinberg, Stan Arachniewicz, and Dr. Jackie Coleman, all of Accumetrics. They confirmed that since since most recent and current clinical outcomes trials that employed the Accumetrics VerifyNow P2Y12 cartridge based their results on Plavix resistance units (PRUs), it is necessary to change the reporting system. They have notified all their clients that they will support the current software only through August 27, 2012, and recommend making local institutional changes as soon as possible. The cartridge design remains unchanged for the present, and the company recommends a upper PRU reference limit of 208 units.