RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine a method to reduce specimen hemolysis rates in pediatric blood specimens. METHODS: A total of 290 blood specimens from pediatric patients were classiï¬ed into the capped group or uncapped group. The hemolysis index and levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured using an automated biochemical analyzer. Also, we performed a paired test to measure the concentration of free hemoglobin in specimens from 25 randomly selected healthy adult volunteers, using a direct spectrophotometric technique. RESULTS: The hemolytic rate of capped specimens was 2-fold higher than that of uncapped specimens. We found significant differences for LDH. Also, there was a significant difference in the concentration of free hemoglobin in the random-volunteers test. CONCLUSIONS: Eliminating the residual negative pressure of vacuum blood-collection tubes was effective at reducing the macrohemolysis and/or microhemolysis rate.
Asunto(s)
Recolección de Muestras de Sangre/normas , Hemólisis , Adolescente , Adulto , Recolección de Muestras de Sangre/efectos adversos , Recolección de Muestras de Sangre/instrumentación , Recolección de Muestras de Sangre/métodos , Niño , Femenino , Hemoglobinas/análisis , Humanos , L-Lactato Deshidrogenasa/sangre , Masculino , VacioRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: We planned a study to establish whether spurious hemolysis may occur when negative pressure remains in vacuum tubes. METHODS: Four tubes with different vacuum levels (-54, -65, -74, and -86 kPa) were used to examine blood drawn from one healthy volunteer; the tubes were allowed to stand for different times (1, 2, 3, and 4 hours). The plasma was separated and immediately tested for free hemoglobin (FHb). Thirty patients were enrolled in a verification experiment. RESULTS: The degree of hemolysis observed was greater when the remaining negative pressure was higher. Significant differences were recorded in the verification experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that residual negative pressure might increase the risk of spurious hemolysis.