Influence of sample type on soluble CD40 ligand assessment in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have consistently shown that soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) concentrations are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and that it can be used as a biomarker for risk stratification. However, recently we could demonstrate that sampling techniques have impact on sCD40L measurements. Thus, it was the aim of our prospective study to evaluate the impact of sampling techniques on sCD40L concentrations of patients with acute coronary syndromes compared to controls.


RESULTS
We included a total of 60 patients, - 30 with an acute coronary syndrome, 10 with cardiovascular risk factors but no relevant coronary artery disease and 20 healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected in gel filled tubes without additives, EDTA filled tubes, or in citrate filled tubes. In EDTA or citrate plasma samples, sCD40L values were higher in patients with ACS compared to controls. In contrast, no difference in sCD40L values between ACS patients and controls was observed for serum samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that only plasma samples, but not serum samples are appropriate for sCD40L measurements. In general, preanalytic conditions are crucial for the assessment of sCD40L concentration and, thus, should be carefully considered for future studies.
Weber
Michael
M
Kerckhoff Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, Bad Nauheim, Germany. M.Weber@kerckhoff-klinik.de
Rabenau
Birgitt
B
Stanisch
Michael
M
Nef
Holger M
HM
Möllmann
Helge
H
Elsässer
Albrecht
A
Mitrovic
Vesselin
V
Heeschen
Christopher
C
Hamm
Christian
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012995:Solubility
D015415:Biomarkers; D023201:CD40 Ligand