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Quality of plasma samples and BD Vacutainer Barricor tubes: Effects of centrifugation.

Author(s): Padoan A, Zaninotto M, Piva E, Sciacovelli L, Aita A, Tasinato A, Plebani M

Publication: Clin Chim Acta, 2018, Vol. 483, Page 271-274

PubMed ID: 29753681 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   This study compared residual cell counts and Hb levels in plasma collected in BD PST II tubes centrifuged at 1300 x g for 10 min and in plasma collected by centrifugation of BD Barricor tubes using four different centrifugation protocols. Blood was collected into four BD Barricor LH tubes and one BD LH PST2 tube from each of 40 fasting healthy donors using BD Vacutainer Eclipse Signal Blood Collection Needles. All specimens were obtained by the same phlebotomist and draw order was randomized. Tubes were inverted at least seven times and stored at room temperature for less than 3 h before centrifugation. The Barricor tubes were centrifuged at 1800 x g for 10 min, 4000 x g for 3 min, 4000 x g for 7 min, or 4000 x g for 15 min and the PST II tube was centrifuged at 1300 x g for 10 min. After centrifugation, tubes were inverted 10 times to allow cells above the separator to resuspend in the plasma and cell counts were determined using a hematology autoanalyzer. Cell-free hemoglobin was then determined using a bichromatic assay on an autoanalyzer.

   Summary of Findings:

   Plasma in BD Barricor tubes had 29.7-66.4% fewer RBCs (9.4-18.4 x 10⁹/L versus 29.0 x 10⁹/L, P<0.05 all) and 63.9%-82.7% fewer WBCs (0.08-0.15 x 10⁹/L versus 0.38 x 10⁹/L, P<0.05 all) compared to plasma in PSTII tubes, regardless of centrifugation speed and duration. The difference in WBC and RBC counts between PST II and BD Barricor tubes increased with increasing centrifugation speed and duration for the Barricor tube. Further, the WBC count was significantly higher in BD Barricor tubes centrifuged at 1800 x g for 10 min or 4000 x g for 3 min than in those centrifuged at 4000 x g for 15 min (P<0.05), but significant differences in RBC count were not observed. Plt counts were 46.6% lower in specimens centrifuged in BD Barricor tubes at 4000 x g for 15 min than those centrifuged in PST II tubes at 1300 x g for 10 min (P<0.05).  Specimens centrifuged in BD Barricor tubes at 4000 x g for 15 min also had lower Plt counts than those centrifuged in BD Barricor tubes at 1800 x g for 10 (P<0.05) or in BD Barricor tubes at 4000 x g for 3 min (P<0.05). Hb was higher in specimens centrifuged in BD Barricor tubes at 4000 x g for 15 min than those centrifuged in PST II tubes at 1300 x g for 10 min (P<0.05)­­­ or in BD Barricor tubes at 1800 x g for 10 (P<0.05) and in specimens centrifuged in BD Barricor tubes at 4000 x g for 7 min than in PST II tubes at 1300 x g for 10 min (P<0.05), indicating that centrifugation at 4000 x g leads to increased hemolysis.­­

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Cell count/volume	Hematology/ auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Type of collection container/solution	BD Barricor BD PST II
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Centrifugation	Multiple durations compared Multiple speeds compared

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