Pre-analytical effects of pneumatic tube transport on impedance platelet aggregometry

Point-of-care platelet monitoring is increasingly used in cardiac patients treated with antiplatelet agents. The validity of a new assay needs to be evaluated not only for reproducible data in clinical samples, but also for other pre-analytical conditions that may influence measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a pneumatic tube system (PTS) for specimen transport on impedance platelet aggregometry. We evaluated 50 consecutive patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery under oral therapy with 100 mg/d acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). In each patient, three blood samples for platelet function analysis were taken before induction of anesthesia. The first sample was measured in the operating room (OR) area and designated as the reference value. The second sample was again measured by the same operator in the OR area using a random PTS transport. The third sample was sent to the central laboratory by PTS where it was measured by a local technician. Platelet function was assessed in whole blood by impedance aggregometry with a Multiplate analyzer using thrombin-related activation peptide (TRAP test) and arachidonic acid (ASPI test) (Dynabite GmbH, Munich, Germany). Mean +/- SD for TRAP test was 1009 +/- 196 in the reference measurement. Bias +/- 95% limit of agreement between the reference measurement and a second measurement for TRAP test were 126 +/- 284 (n = 25) for untransported and 181 +/- 316 (n = 25) for PTS transported samples. In the reference measurements, 48/50 (96%) of TRAP values were within the normal range. After PTS transport, 35/50 (70%) of TRAP measurements in the central laboratory were within the normal range (p < 0.001). Mean +/- SD for ASPI test was 175 +/- 137. Bias +/- 95% limit of agreement for ASPI test were 12 +/- 109 (n = 25) for untransported and 68 +/- 250 (n = 25) for PTS transported samples. In the reference measurements, 7/50 (14%) ASPI values were above the cut-off level and defined as reduced aspirin responsiveness. After PTS transport, only 1/50 (2%) of the patients showed reduced aspirin responsiveness in the central laboratory measurements (p = 0.031). In conclusion, PTS transport had a significant influence on platelet function testing by the Multiplate() analyzer. Significantly fewer test results indicated normal platelet function in TRAP test and reduced aspirin responsiveness in ASPI test after PTS transport. Therefore, clinical decisions regarding platelet function and aspirin responsiveness should not be based on blood specimens transported by a PTS system.