K2- or K3-EDTA: the anticoagulant of choice in routine haematology?

Author(s): Goossens W, Van Duppen V, Verwilghen RL

Publication: Clin Lab Haematol, 1991, Vol. 13, Page 291-5

PubMed ID: 1794231 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 using K2EDTA versus K3EDTA, anticoagulant concentration, and room temperature storage prior to analysis on complete blood counts using 4 different analyzers.

   Summary of Findings:

   Under ideal conditions, including analysis within 3 h of collection and an anticoagulant concentration of 1.5 g/L, there were no significant differences between K2EDTA and K3EDTA specimens for PCV, MCV, RDW, WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, or MCH, regardless of which analyzer was used. Increasing anticoagulant concentration above 1.5 g/L led to decreased PCV for both K2 and K3EDTA specimens, but the effect was stronger in K3EDTA specimens. Measured MCV remained constant with increasing concentrations of K3EDTA, however, for all analyzers except the Coulter STKS, MCV increased with increasing concentrations of K2EDTA above 1.5 g/L. The authors state that RDW increased with increasing anticoagulant concentrations above 1.5 g/L or delays at room temperature of >3 h prior to analysis, and they state that the increases were larger in K2EDTA specimens than K3EDTA specimens. WBC decreased when K3EDTA concentrations were high (7.5 or 15 g/L) and blood was subjected to increasing time at room temperature beyond 3 h, but the authors say this effect was seen only with the Unipath CD 3000 analyzer, and similar decreases were not observed for K2EDTA specimens. RBC, hemoglobin, and MCH were not affected by anticoagulant type or concentration or storage of specimens at room temperature.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

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

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Time at room temperature	1 h 3 h 6 h 10 h 24 h
   Hematology/ auto analyzer Specific	Technology platform	Coulter STKS Technicon H1 Toa Sysmex NE-8000 Unipath CD 3000
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Anticoagulant	Potassium EDTA Multiple concentrations evaluated Multiple forms evaluated

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