Absorption of therapeutic drugs by barrier gels in serum separator blood collection tubes. Volume- and time-dependent reduction in total and free drug concentrations.

Author(s): Dasgupta A, Dean R, Saldana S, Kinnaman G, McLawhon RW

Publication: Am J Clin Pathol, 1994, Vol. 101, Page 456-61

PubMed ID: 8160636 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of storage in SST and specimen volume on concentrations of therapeutic drugs in serum. Patient serum and therapeutic drug-spiked serum were used.

   Summary of Findings:

   Significant declines in the concentrations of phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, quinidine, and lidocaine, but not salicylate or theophylline occurred within 20 min when serum was stored in Vacutainer SST. In contrast, when serum was stored in Corvac SST, only lidocaine concentrations decreased, and when serum was stored in red-top Vacutainer tubes, no significant changes in any therapeutic drug concentrations were found. The effects of storage in Vacutainer SST and Corvac SST were most dramatic when the specimen volume was small and when the specimens were stored for 48 h. The presence of protein carriers in normal serum was found to partially attenuate the effects of storage. The authors concluded that the barrier gel present in Vacutainer SST rapidly adsorbs therapeutic drugs during storage and that the effect was greatest when the volume was small or when a serum ultrafiltrate was stored.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified
   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Immunoassay
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Type of storage container	Vacutainer SST Corvac SST Red-top Vacutainer
   Storage	Storage temperature	4 degrees C
   Storage	Storage duration	0 min 20 min 40 min 1 h 2 h 6 h 24 h 48 h
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Aliquot size/volume	200 ul 300 ul 500 ul 750 ul 1000 ul 1500 ul
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Filtration	Ultrafiltrated serum Normal serum

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