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

1. 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

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum
   • Bodily Fluid - Blood

   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

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