Pre-analytical stability of blood samples transported by drone versus ground: a pilot study.
Author(s): Brionne M, Peyro-Saint-Paul L, Dutheil JJ, Vivien D, Legros H, Le Hello S, Morello R
Publication: Pract Lab Med, 2026, Vol. 50, Page e00530
PubMed ID: 42058935 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
This paper investigated the effects of drone transport on levels of 23 biochemical, hematological, and hemostatic parameters in blood by comparing levels in case-matched specimens transported by drone and by courier.
Conclusion of Paper
The authors report that no hemolysis or sample degradation was observed. Mean levels and coefficients of variance (CV) of most analytes were comparable between blood specimens transported by drone and on foot, and the authors report that levels of all analytes remained within their respective reference ranges, indicating no clinical impact. With the exception of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, which were modestly correlated (r=0.597, P<0.001), levels of all analytes were strongly (r > 0.70, P<0.001) correlated between specimens transported by drone and on foot. However, specimens transported by drone had slightly, albeit significantly, lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and LDH levels (28.63±16.24 versus 28.87±8.20, P=0.039 and 272.57 ±51.90 versus 282.27 ±47.39, P=0.039, respectively). Bland-Altman analysis showed that for ALT there was minimal bias (-0.63 U/L) and narrow limits of agreement following drone transport, whereas LDH displayed more bias (-9.7 U/L) and much greater variability when transported by drone. The authors conclude that drone transport is acceptable for most analytes, but the increased variability in LDH indicates the need for analyte-specific validation.
Studies
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Study Purpose
This study investigated the effects of drone transport on levels of 23 biochemical, hematological, and hemostatic parameters in blood by comparing levels in case-matched specimens transported by drone and by courier. Blood was collected from 30 healthy volunteers into duplicate citrate, lithium heparin and EDTA tubes. One tube of each type from each volunteer was transported by drone in an insulated bag while the other tube was transported on foot by courier in an insulated carrier for the same duration (20 min). Upon arrival, blood was centrifuged (details not provided) and levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, total protein, calcium, creatinine, urea, albumin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), C-reactive protein (CRP), ɣ glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed using a clinical chemistry autoanalyzer. Counts of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, and D-dimers were analyzed using a hematology autoanalyzer.
Summary of Findings:
The authors report that no hemolysis or sample degradation was observed. Mean levels and coefficients of variance (CV) of most analytes were comparable between blood specimens transported by drone and on foot and the authors report that levels of all analytes remained within their respective reference ranges, indicating no clinical impact. With the exception of LDH levels, which were modestly correlated (r=0.597, P<0.001), levels of all analytes were strongly (r > 0.70, P<0.001) correlated between specimens transported by drone and on foot. However, specimens transported by drone also had slightly, albeit significantly, lower ALT and LDH levels (28.63 ±16.24 versus 28.87 ±8.20, P=0.039 and 272.57 ±51.90 versus 282.27 ±47.39, P=0.039, respectively). Bland-Altman analysis showed that for ALT there was minimal bias (-0.63 U/L) and narrow limits of agreement following drone transport, whereas LDH displayed more bias (-9.7 U/L) and much greater variability when transported by drone. The authors conclude that drone transport is acceptable for most analytes, but the increased variability in LDH indicates the need for analyte-specific validation.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Cell count/volume Hematology/ auto analyzer Electrolyte/Metal Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Protein Hematology/ auto analyzer Morphology Hematology/ auto analyzer Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Glycoprotein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Between site transportation method Drone
Courier