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Clinical Chemistry 51: 1554-1555, 2005; 10.1373/clinchem.2005.054122
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(Clinical Chemistry. 2005;51:1554-1555.)
© 2005 American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Inc.

Technical Briefs

Homocysteine Stability in Heparinized Plasma Stored in a Gel Separator Tube

Roger R. Calama, Ibrahim Mansoor and James Blaga

St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI;

aaddress correspondence to this author at: Department of Pathology, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, 22101 Moross Rd., Detroit, MI 48236; fax 313-881-4727

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Recent studies have shown that increased blood concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) have been linked to increased risk of premature coronary artery disease, stroke, and thromboembolism (venous blood clots), even among people with cholesterol values within the appropriate reference intervals (1)(2)(3). As testing for Hcy has become more widespread, it is apparent there are preanalytical issues with respect to specimen type and analyte stability. It is well documented that erythrocytes continue to produce and export Hcy into the plasma after venipuncture (4)(5). This can lead to an artifactual increase in Hcy the longer the plasma is allowed to remain in contact with the cells. Several studies have addressed this issue, with EDTA plasma established as the recommended sample, the collected specimens placed on ice and/or centrifuged within 1 h, and the plasma physically removed from cells (6). Because the specimen is anticoagulated, it can be centrifuged immediately, contributing to rapid handling.

It has been documented that expeditious transport and handling of Hcy specimens for epidemiologic studies is difficult because of preanalytical . . . [Full Text of this Article]






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