What to consider when choosing a cholesterol monitoring system

System comparison at a glance

The four most commonly referenced point-of-care cholesterol systems in the EU market, compared across the criteria explained in detail below.

Accutrend Plus: Strip availability is already limited across EU markets. If you rely on this system, plan your transition before supply runs out.

The criteria explained

1. What does the device actually measure?

The most important question. Many cholesterol meters — including some used in professional settings — measure only total cholesterol (TC). While TC provides a general indication, it is not sufficient for meaningful cardiovascular risk assessment on its own.

A full lipid panel requires TC, HDL, and triglycerides — from which LDL and the CHOL/HDL ratio can be calculated. Without these values, the picture is incomplete.

Note: The Accutrend Plus measures TC, TG, and lactate — but not HDL. A full lipid profile is not possible on this system.

2. What is the measuring range?

A narrow measuring range means values outside it will produce out-of-range results. The Accutrend Plus has a TC range of 150–300 mg/dL — significantly narrower than other systems. For a general population screening programme, a range of 100–500 mg/dL is more appropriate.

3. How much blood is required?

A smaller required sample means less discomfort and a higher first-attempt success rate — relevant for regular monitoring and for users who are not accustomed to self-testing. A system requiring 35 µL can typically be filled from a single fingertip puncture; 40 µL or a ‘hanging drop’ collection method is more demanding.

4. How long does the test take?

Time to result ranges from 2 to 5 minutes across the main systems. In a pharmacy health-check setting or a clinic running multiple screens per day, this difference in throughput is material.

5. How many strips does one full test require?

Some devices measure one parameter per strip. To obtain TC, HDL, and TG from the same patient, that means three separate strips, three separate blood samples, and three separate tests — multiplying both cost and user burden. A system that measures all values from a single strip with a single blood sample is considerably more efficient.

The Accutrend Plus requires a separate strip per parameter. Since it does not measure HDL, a full lipid profile is not achievable regardless.

6. How are the test strips packaged?

Strips stored in a shared vial are exposed to air, light, and moisture from the first time the vial is opened. For lower-volume users who do not test daily, this progressively affects reliability. Individually sealed strips maintain integrity until the moment of use.

7. Is the system CE-marked and quality-verified?

All IVD medical devices marketed in the EU must carry CE marking, confirming they have been assessed against EU safety and performance requirements. Beyond regulatory compliance, participation in external quality assurance programmes — such as the periodic Ringversuche in the DACH region — provides independent, ongoing verification of measurement consistency. This is particularly relevant for professional users who need to document and demonstrate performance.

8. Are test strips reliably available long term?

A device is only useful as long as its consumables are available. Before committing to a system, it is worth confirming that test strips are stocked by multiple distributors, available in suitable pack sizes, and part of an actively maintained product line. A system approaching end-of-life creates supply risk that is difficult to manage once it materialises.

9. What level of support is available?

For home users, clear instructions and accessible support matter. For professional users — pharmacies, clinics, screening programmes — local-language IFUs, QC documentation, and onboarding guidance are important for compliance and staff training.

10. Three further criteria worth checking

Cardiovascular risk scoring

Some systems calculate a cardiovascular risk score directly from the measured lipid values. The Mission 3-in-1 calculates both Framingham and PROCAM risk scores, supporting structured cardiovascular risk discussions in professional settings. CardioChek calculates Framingham only. The Accutrend Plus and Cholestech LDX do not include risk scoring.

Operating temperature range

Operating range is a practical criterion that is easy to overlook. The CardioChek PA specifies 20–27°C — a narrow window that a cool pharmacy, a home in winter, or an outdoor health event can fall outside. The Mission 3-in-1 specifies 15–40°C, covering a wider range of realistic EU operating conditions.

Strip shelf life and storage

Cholestech LDX cassettes have a shelf life of 9–11 months and require refrigeration at 2–8°C, with a 30-day usability window once removed from cold storage. This creates cold-chain logistics requirements and a risk of wastage for settings that do not test at high frequency. Mission 3-in-1 test strips have an 18-month shelf life and can be stored at room temperature in individual sealed pouches.

The Mission 3-in-1 in context

Swiss Point of Care has distributed the ACON Mission 3-in-1 cholesterol monitoring system for more than ten years across professional and consumer settings in the EU. Against the criteria in this guide, it covers the following:

• Full lipid panel — TC, HDL, TG, calculated LDL and CHOL/HDL ratio — from a single strip and a single blood sample
• Framingham and PROCAM cardiovascular risk scores calculated directly from test results
• TC range 100–500 mg/dL, HDL 15–100 mg/dL, TG 45–650 mg/dL
• Sample volume 35 µL
• Results in under 2 minutes
• Operating range 15–40°C
• Strips individually sealed, 18-month shelf life, room temperature storage
• CE-marked (CE 0123), verified through independent quality assurance programmes
• 2-year warranty, consistent EU strip supply, multilingual documentation

For users transitioning from the Accutrend Plus, the Mission 3-in-1 covers the same TC and TG testing workflow while also providing HDL, calculated LDL, and risk scoring — parameters the Accutrend Plus does not support.

Next steps

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Browse the Mission 3-in-1 cholesterol monitoring system and test strips at swisspointofcare.vital20.com

This article is for informational purposes. Point-of-care results should always be interpreted in context and, where appropriate, discussed with a healthcare professional.