Lithium heparinised blood-collection tubes give falsely low albumin results with an automated bromcresol green method in haemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of markedly low albumin values determined by a bromcresol green (BCG) method in patients on haemodialysis.


METHODS
Serum and heparinised plasma from haemodialysis patients and normal controls were collected. Albumin was measured using Beckman bromcresol purple (BCP) and Roche BCG methods on the Beckman Synchron LX20.


RESULTS
The albumin in heparinised plasma determined by a BCG method was 33.3% lower than that of the BCP method in a haemodialysis patient. The albumin values determined by the BCP method were comparable to those measured by immunonephelometric analysis for this patient. Significantly lower albumin levels were also observed in lithium heparin plasma by a BCG method compared to the BCP method in both non-renal patients (31.2+/-3.8 vs. 34.1+/-4.1 g/L, p<0.001, n=30) and haemodialysis patients (28.6+/-3.5 vs. 32.8+/-3.7 g/L, p<0.001, n=30). This negative bias was directly correlated with heparin concentrations in the plasma. The BCP method did not show this dose-dependent bias.


CONCLUSIONS
Lithium heparin plasma can cause falsely low albumin values by an automated BCG method and the suitability of lithium heparin blood tubes should be carefully assessed for haemodialysis patients. The BCP method is free of this bias.
Meng
Qing H
QH
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatoon, Canada.
Krahn
John
J
D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis*; D016477:Artifacts; D001331:Automation; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D001961:Bromcresol Green / Q000737:chemistry*; D001962:Bromcresol Purple / Q000737:chemistry; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D000418:Albumins; D001962:Bromcresol Purple; D001961:Bromcresol Green; D006493:Heparin; D008094:Lithium