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Effects of vigorous mixing of blood vacuum tubes on laboratory test results.

Author(s): Lima-Oliveira G, Lippi G, Salvagno GL, Montagnana M, Gelati M, Volanski W, Boritiza KC, Picheth G, Guidi GC

Publication: Clin Biochem, 2013, Vol. 46, Page 250-4

PubMed ID: 23146916 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of shaking tubes vigorously versus gently inverting them on 13 hematological, 3 coagulation, and 32 clinical chemistry analytes in blood. Blood was collected from 100 fasting volunteers, who remained seated for 15 min without venous stasis, into K2 EDTA vacuum tubes (hematological analytes), serum tubes with clot activator and gel separator (clinical chemistry analytes) and sodium citrate tubes (coagulation analytes). The first 2 mL of blood were discarded. Tubes were mixed immediately after collection, and plasma tubes were immediately centrifuged, while serum tubes were allowed to clot for 45 min before centrifugation. Hematological analysis was performed on fresh blood, but plasma and serum were stored at -70 degrees C until coagulation testing and clinical chemistry analysis, respectively.

   Summary of Findings:

   Vigorous shaking of tubes for 3-5 sec, rather than gentle inversion, did not affect the levels of the hematological, coagulation, or clinical chemistry analytes. After shaking vigorously, foam was present in all specimens, and serum had a blood ring where the stopper had been.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)
   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Cell count/volume	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Protein	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Steroid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Glycoprotein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Glycoprotein	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Peptide	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Biospecimen mixing	Inverted gently as recommended 3-5 sec vigorous shaking

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