Disadvantages of Using Citrate Plasma in Medical Laboratory Tests
Summary
- Citrate plasma may lead to inaccurate Test Results due to interference with certain analytes.
- Use of citrate plasma can be time-consuming and costly for medical laboratories.
- Samples collected in citrate plasma may have limited stability, affecting the reliability of Test Results.
Introduction
In the field of medical laboratory and phlebotomy, the choice of Anticoagulant used for blood collection can have a significant impact on the accuracy of clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests. Citrate plasma is a commonly used Anticoagulant in medical laboratories, but it is not without limitations. In this article, we will explore the potential disadvantages of using citrate plasma for certain tests within a medical laboratory setting in the United States.
Interference with Analytes
One of the primary limitations of using citrate plasma for clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests is the potential for interference with certain analytes. Citrate is known to chelate calcium ions, which can affect the coagulation cascade and lead to inaccurate Test Results for coagulation tests such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). Additionally, citrate can interfere with other analytes such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, potentially leading to misinterpretation of Test Results.
Time-Consuming and Costly
Another drawback of using citrate plasma is that it can be time-consuming and costly for medical laboratories. Citrate tubes require careful handling and processing to prevent contamination and ensure accurate results. Furthermore, the addition of citrate as an Anticoagulant adds an extra step to the blood collection process, increasing the time and resources required for sample processing. This can result in higher costs for the laboratory and longer turnaround times for Test Results.
Sample Stability
Samples collected in citrate plasma may also have limited stability, which can impact the reliability of Test Results. Citrate can alter the pH of the sample, leading to potential degradation of analytes over time. This can result in decreased accuracy and precision of Test Results, particularly for tests that require long-term storage or transportation of samples. The instability of samples collected in citrate plasma can pose challenges for medical laboratories in maintaining the quality of Test Results.
Conclusion
While citrate plasma is a widely used Anticoagulant in medical laboratories, it is important to be aware of its limitations when performing clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests. Interference with analytes, time-consuming processing, and sample stability issues are significant disadvantages of using citrate plasma that can impact the accuracy and reliability of Test Results. Medical laboratories should carefully consider these limitations and explore alternative anticoagulants to mitigate the potential drawbacks of using citrate plasma.
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