A Reference chart for clinical biochemical tests of hemolyzed serum samples.

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the effect of hemolysis has been extensively evaluated on clinical biochemical tests, a practical guidance for laboratory staff to rapidly determine whether a hemolyzed blood sample is acceptable and how to interpret the results is lacking. Here, we introduce a chart as a convenient reference for dealing with such samples.MethodsSerum samples with 0.1%, 0.3%, 1%, 3%, and 10% hemolysis were prepared from sonicated endogenous red blood cells and received 35 wet and 22 dry clinical biochemical tests, respectively. The contributing part in the biochemical test result at each hemolysis condition was derived by subtracting the original test result of this sample with no hemolysis. The net results were used for analyses and preparation of the reference chart.ResultsThe reference chart displayed the analytically calculated hemolysis interference and related statistical analyses. The chart also provided the color appearance of serum samples at each hemolysis condition for clinical staffs to determine whether a hemolyzed sample could be accepted.ConclusionIn clinical laboratories, preparation of such a reference chart is extremely useful in dealing with hemolyzed blood samples for clinical biochemical tests.