Cold activation in PT-INR samples: myth or reality in the modern laboratory?Show others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, ISSN 0036-5513, E-ISSN 1502-7686Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]
Guidelines on storage for samples intended for Prothrombin Time–International Normalized Ratio (PT-INR) analysis have changed over time, sometimes advising against cold storage due to presumed cold activation of the coagulation cascade. Previous studies on PT-INR storage have mainly been underpowered, performed in glass tubes, and not in a modern laboratory setting. In this study, we re-analyzed 1149 PT-INR samples, divided into low-level samples (PT-INR <1.3), and high-level samples (PT-INR 1.8–3.5) after 3 h of cold storage. We found no statistical difference for high-level samples but statistically higher PT-INR values in low-level samples. The differences were minor and not considered clinically relevant. No cold activation could be detected, as cold activation would have diminished PT-INR. These findings open the possibility of transporting and storing centrifuged PT-INR samples refrigerated. The higher PT-INR values in low-level samples after cold storage impede a mechanistic principle that needs to be further investigated.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025.
Keywords [en]
blood specimen collection, coagulation, Prothrombin time, refrigeration, specimen handling
National Category
Hematology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-238067DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2025.2487972ISI: 001462359600001PubMedID: 40183534Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105002590905OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-238067DiVA, id: diva2:1956123
Funder
Region Kronoberg2025-05-052025-05-052025-05-05