Stability studies of twenty-four analytes in human plasma and serum.

Author(s): Boyanton BL Jr, Blick KE

Publication: Clin Chem, 2002, Vol. 48, Page 2242-7

PubMed ID: 12446483 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 prolonged contact of plasma or serum specimens with blood cells on 24 clinical chemistry analytes.

   Summary of Findings:

   No clinically significant changes with room temperature storage of up to 56 hours occurred in separated plasma or serum specimens. However, clinically significant changes with prolonged storage of uncentrifuged blood were observed in plasma but not serum for tCO2 after 48 h, TP after 24 h, calcium after 32 h, ALT after 40 h, TC after 24h, Mg after 40 h, and GGT after 40h. Clinically significant changes with delayed centrifugation of either plasma or serum occurred in K after 24 h, glucose after 30 min, creatinine after 24 h, albumin after 40 h, P after 24 h, urate after 24 h, LD after 8 h, lactate after 30 min, pH after 30 min, PCO2 after 4 h, and the PO2 after 4 h. Although free hemoglobin was elevated in plasma and serum after delayed centrifugation, the values remained far below levels necessary to interfere with bilirubin and CK assays. In conclusion, delayed centrifugation of blood specimens stored at room temperature resulted in changes in most serum and plasma analytes. However, plasma analytes tended to be slightly more unstable than serum analytes.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Serum
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Steroid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Lipid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	pH
   Protein	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Gas	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Morphology	Macroscopic observation

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Blood and blood products	Plasma Serum Whole blood
   Storage	Time at room temperature	30 min 4 h 8 h 16 h 24 h 32 h 40 h 48 h 56 h
   Storage	Storage conditions	In the dark
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Centrifugation	Centrifugation delays investigated

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