Changes of Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase and Potassium Levels Produced by a Pneumatic Tube System

Abstract

Objective: Errors in laboratory measurements could be derived from many pre-analytical factors. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the hospital’s pneumatic tube system (PTS) on serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and potassium. Methods: Forty-five healthy blood donors were involved. We studied LDH and potassium delivered to the laboratory by a PTS with different carrier inserts and transport times. In addition, influences of the PTS sending different types of specimens on LDH and potassium were determined. Results: Blood specimens sent via PTS several times or without carrier inserts had statistical changes in LDH; the potassium had a slightly rising trend. Of the under-filled blood draw tubes or lithium heparin tube specimens, changes were caused by the PTS, but there were no effects on pure serum specimens. Conclusions: Many minor shakings derived from the transportation of the PTS inevitably influenced LDH and potassium.