Suitability of collection tubes with separator gels for collecting and storing blood samples for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).
Author(s): Karppi J, Akerman KK, Parviainen M
Publication: Clin Chem Lab Med, 2000, Vol. 38, Page 313-20
PubMed ID: 10928651 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
Conclusion of Paper
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of collection tube type, delayed centrifugation, and storage of serum in gel barrier tubes on the measurement of antiepileptic, antidepressant, psychoactive, cardioactive, and asthma drugs, and antibiotics, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and benzodiazepines in serum. After experimental storage, separated serum was stored at 4 degrees C for up to 1 week unless otherwise indicated. Both spiked and authentic patient specimens were used for these experiments.
Summary of Findings:
In general, antidepressants and benzodiazepines tended to be adsorbed by the Vacutainer SST, Vacuette gel tubes, and Venoject II gel tubes and recoveries were statistically lower compared to those measured in their plain counterparts. Recovery of these drugs decreased after storage of serum in the gel barrier tubes at 4 degrees C, for 24 h, after centrifugation. Interestingly, storage of whole blood in gel barrier tubes for 24 h, at 4 degrees C, prior to centrifugation resulted in minimal effects. Antiepileptic, cardioactive, antibiotic, and asthma drug recovery was similar between gel barrier tubes and their plain counterparts. Authentic patient specimens showed higher recovery rates and thus lower adsorption to the barrier gels than spiked specimens, but antidepressant recovery rates were still significantly lower in gel barrier tubes when measured immediately or after 24 h of 4 degrees C storage in the tubes after centrifugation compared to collection and storage in plain tubes.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
- Other Preservative
Diagnoses:
- Not specified
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation None (fresh)
Refrigeration
Storage Storage duration 0 h
3 h
24 h
Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Vacutainer SST
Vacutainer plain tube
Vacuette gel tube
Vacuette plain tube
Venoject II gel tube
Venoject II plain tube
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Biospecimen components Spiked specimen
Authentic patient specimen
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Serum
Whole blood
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Centrifugation Centrifugation delays investigated