Interindividual variability of hemolysis in plasma samples during pneumatic tube system transport

Gentle blood aspiration and tube cushioning reduce pneumatic tube system interference in lactate dehydrogenase assays

“…1 However, susceptibility to PTS-induced cell lysis varies significantly from one individual to another. 2 The results of the present study suggest that PTS interference with LD assays can be reduced through gentle aspiration of the blood into the tube and (to a lesser extent) use of adequate cushioning.…”

“…This bias is particularly problematical for leukaemic patients with fragile leukocyte membranes 1 but is not absent in subjects with normal blood cells. 2 The PTS's effects increase with transportation speed, rapid acceleration and deceleration when changing in direction, transportation distance and a lack of cushioning. 3,4 Cell membrane damage and lysis can also be influenced by the type of sample and the choice of phlebotomy site and/or method.…”

Comparison of pneumatic tube system with manual transport for routine chemistry, hematology, coagulation and blood gas tests

“…Furthermore, the insignificant impact of the PTS on sample hemolysis was further confirmed by this study that there was no statistically/ clinically significant difference on intra-erythrocytic compounds such as potassium, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase by the PTS compared with manual transport (Tables 2, 5 and 6). Interestingly, some of these analytes may be more sensitive to mechanical hemolysis than serum hemolysis indices [15,16]. Lipemia and icterus results for samples transported through the PTS were similar to those transported manually which further indicates no impact of PTS transport on sample integrity ( Table 2).…”

“…Different acceleration forces increased with the increment of transport time, speed and distance and led to more ROTEM ® blood coagulation parameters affected, although all results were found clinically acceptable [17]. In the present study, we used the split-sample testing to investigate the impact of PTS on final testing values and sample integrity such as hemolysis indices as well as intra-erythrocytic compounds (potassium, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase) as has been analyzed by these studies [15,16].…”

“…Recently, novel data loggers have been utilized to directly monitor acceleration forces, temperature, humidity and air pressure during the PTS transport and their effect on blood sample integrity [15,16]. Different acceleration forces increased with the increment of transport time, speed and distance and led to more ROTEM ® blood coagulation parameters affected, although all results were found clinically acceptable [17].…”