Pneumatic tube-transported blood samples in lithium heparinate gel separator tubes may be more susceptible to haemolysis than blood samples in serum tubes.
Author(s): Böckel-Frohnhöfer N, Hübner U, Hummel B, Geisel J
Publication: Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 2014, Vol. , Page 1-4
PubMed ID: 24909156 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of pneumatic tube system (PTS) transport of lithium heparin blood and analysis of serum rather than lithium heparin plasma on levels of hemolysis, creatinine kinase (CK), CK-muscle brain isoenzyme (CK-MB), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
Conclusion of Paper
When lithium heparin plasma specimens were transported by PTS rather than hand delivery, a higher percentage had a hemolysis index (HI) of >20. Lithium heparin plasma had significantly higher median HI, CK and CK-MB and lower median ALT than serum.
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of PTS transport rather than hand delivery of whole blood on the HI of plasma. 1368 PTS-transported and 837 hand delivered lithium heparin plasma specimens from patients with unspecified diagnoses were included. All tubes were filled completely and sent at a speed of 4-6 m/s in a cartridge with a foam insert.
Summary of Findings:
When lithium heparin plasma specimens were transported by PTS, 17.5% had a HI of >20, but only 2.6% of hand-delivered specimens had an HI of >20.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Not specified
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Cell count/volume Spectrophotometry Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Within hospital transportation method Hand-delivered
Pneumatic tube system
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of analysis of serum rather than lithium heparin plasma on levels of hemolysis, CK, CK-MB, and ALT. 157 paired lithium heparin plasma and serum specimens with an HI of >20 after PTS were compared. All tubes were filled completely and sent at a speed of 4-6 m/s in a cartridge with a foam insert.
Summary of Findings:
The median HI was higher in plasma specimens than serum specimens (85 versus 33, p<0.001). Further, plasma had significantly higher median CK and CK-MB and lower median ALT than serum (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.017, respectively).
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Not specified
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Cell count/volume Spectrophotometry Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Plasma
Serum
Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Lithium heparin tube
Serum S-Monovettes