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Pre-analytical considerations in biomarker research: focus on cardiovascular disease

Elena Revuelta-López1,2,3, Jaume Barallat4, Adriana Cserkóová3

  • 1Heart Failure Unit and Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|July 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Precise cardiovascular medicine requires robust biomarker research. Standardizing pre-analytical variables in biospecimen handling is crucial for accurate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in complex heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical research
  • Cardiovascular medicine
  • Precision medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular biomarker research is rapidly advancing to support personalized medicine.
  • Current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular diseases are often generalized due to a lack of distinct molecular signatures.
  • This generalized approach can lead to suboptimal outcomes in heterogeneous conditions like heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of pre-analytical variables in cardiovascular biomarker research.
  • To emphasize the need for standardized biospecimen management to ensure data validity.
  • To advocate for awareness among researchers regarding pre-analytical recommendations for reliable results.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current practices in clinical biomarker research, particularly in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Discussion of the impact of pre-analytical variables (sample collection, handling, processing, storage) on research outcomes.
  • Emphasis on the necessity of a multidimensional biomarker approach and proper biospecimen handling.

Main Results:

  • Pre-analytical errors can introduce systematic bias and imprecision, compromising research findings.
  • Standardized pre-analytical procedures are essential for generating valid and reproducible biomarker data.
  • Awareness and implementation of biospecimen management guidelines are key to overcoming these challenges.

Conclusions:

  • Standardizing pre-analytical variables is fundamental for the success of cardiovascular biomarker research and personalized medicine.
  • Adequate study design incorporating essential pre-analytical recommendations is crucial for generating efficient and valid data.
  • Academic clinicians and investigators must prioritize biospecimen integrity for reliable cardiovascular research outcomes.

Keywords:
biomarkerblood handlinghemolysisplasmaserum

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