Use of different anticoagulants in test tubes for analysis of blood lactate concentrations: Part 2. Implications for the proper handling of blood specimens obtained from critically ill patients.

Author(s): Wiese J, Didwania A, Kerzner R, Chernow B

Publication: Crit Care Med, 1997, Vol. 25, Page 1847-50

PubMed ID: 9366768 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 type of anticoagulant on the measurement of lactate in whole blood and to compare results with levels measured in plasma and serum from healthy volunteers and those with hyperlactatemia. Blood specimens were placed on ice after collection for up to 10 minutes prior to analysis.

   Summary of Findings:

   Lactate levels measured in sodium citrate whole blood were significantly lower than levels measured in sodium heparin, EDTA, or lithium heparin whole blood (p<0.001, all), however, there were no significant differences in lactate levels between whole blood containing these three anticoagulants. The authors state that significantly higher levels of lactate were measured in plasma or serum compared to whole blood, regardless of diagnosis (normal versus hyperlactatemia), although the difference was slightly more pronounced among hyperlactatemia patients (>2.2 mmol/L lactate) than healthy controls.

   Biospecimens

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

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal
   • Other diagnoses

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Ion selective electrode

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Anticoagulant	EDTA Lithium heparin Sodium citrate Sodium heparin
   Preaquisition	Diagnosis/ patient condition	Normal Hyperlactatemia
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Blood and blood products	Plasma Serum Whole blood

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