Gentle blood aspiration and tube cushioning reduce pneumatic tube system interference in lactate dehydrogenase assays.
Author(s): Strubi-Vuillaume I, Carlier V, Obeuf C, Vasseur F, Maury JC, Maboudou P, Mangalaboyi J, Durocher A, Launay D, Noel C, Brousseau T
Publication: Ann Clin Biochem, 2016, Vol. 53, Page 295-7
PubMed ID: 25911571 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effect of transporting blood in lithium heparin Vacutainer tubes by pneumatic tube system (PTS) on levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) in plasma and to investigate if the effects could be mitigated by wrapping the tube in bubble wrap or by collecting the blood by aspiration into a Monovette tube.
Conclusion of Paper
LD activity was higher in routine PTS-transported specimens than in hand delivered specimens (both collected in Vacutainers), and this difference was partially attenuated by wrapping the tubes in bubble wrap during PTS-transport. Interestingly, blood collected into Monovette tubes by aspiration and transported by PTS had comparable plasma LD to hand-delivered specimens collected in Vacutainer tubes.
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of transporting blood in lithium heparin Vacutainer tubes by PTS on levels of LD in plasma and to investigate if the effects could be mitigated by wrapping the tube in bubble wrap or by collecting the blood by aspiration into a Monovette tube. Paired lithium heparin blood specimens from 79 patients in the nursery unit were sent to the laboratory by PTS or were hand-delivered. From 31 patients, an additional specimen was collected into a Vacutainer and bubble wrapped prior to transport, and from 28 patients, an additional specimen was collected by aspiration into a lithium heparin Monovette tube. Specimens sent by PTS were inserted into a plastic bag inside a plastic parachute and sent along a 1100 m path at a maximum of 6 m/s. They arrived at the laboratory after cessation of propulsion onto a cushioned pad and were centrifuged with the hand-delivered specimen. Transport time by either method was <10 min.
Summary of Findings:
Plasma LD activity was an average of 18.8% higher in routine PTS specimens (obtained in Vacutainer by vacuum and transported without bubble wrap) than in hand-delivered specimens (p<0.001). When the Vacutainer was packaged in bubble wrap before transport, the plasma LD was only 8.7% higher when transported by PTS than when hand-delivered (p=0.002). Interestingly, blood collected into Monovette tubes by aspiration and transported by PTS had comparable plasma LD to hand-delivered specimens collected in Vacutainer tubes.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Not specified
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Method of fluid acquisition Vacuum tube
Syringe draw
Storage Specimen transport duration/condition Bubble wrapped
No extra wrapping
Storage Within hospital transportation method Hand-delivered
Pneumatic tube system
Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Lithium heparin Vacutainer
Lithium heparin Monovette