Effect of different pre-analytical conditions on plasma lactate concentration.

Introduction: Plasma lactate is a frequently used and important parameter for medical decision making. To setup a pre-analytical algorithm, we aimed to investigate the influence of different test tube additives, aliquoting, ice storage and haemolysis on plasma lactate concentrations for possible sparing critically ill (ICU) patients of additional blood drawing.

Materials And Methods: In our study (N = 177), lactate concentration and haemolysis index (HI) were measured in aliquoted (AHP) and unaliquoted (HP) Li-heparin, NaF/KEDTA and NaF/KOX plasma, centrifuged within 15 minutes after venipuncture, on Cobas c501 analyzer.