The effect of delayed analysis or freeze-thawing on the measurement of natural anticoagulants, resistance to activated protein C and markers of activation of the haemostatic system.
We provide a centralised thrombophilia screening service with sample transfer by courier or first class mail, a practice common to many centres. Sample quality is of prime importance, thus we have assessed the effect of delayed sample handling upon the haemostatic variables within our thrombophilia profile. This comprises screening for familial natural anticoagulant deficiency and APC resistance (1-4), and acquired lupus anticoagulant (5,6). The effect upon hypercoagulable markers were also assessed to facilitate evaluation of these in prospective clinical studies (7).
Luddington
R
R
Department of Haematology, Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, Cambridge.
Peters
J
J
Baker
P
P
Baglin
T
T
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000097:blood*; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D005615:Freezing; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000097:blood; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D017293:Protein S / Q000378:metabolism; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor; D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S; D000990:Antithrombin III