Storage of blood samples at or above 33℃ leads to rapid appearance of appreciable systemic bias in platelet and mean corpuscular volume related parameters: an important pre-analytical factor in tropical conditions

Abstract

There is scant documentation of the stability of common haematological parameters on storage of blood samples under tropical conditions. K₂EDTA samples in multiple vials were taken from 20 healthy blood donors, baseline readings taken, and stored at 33°C and 37°C. Readings from the stored vials were taken after 1, 3 and 6 h. The percent change against the baseline readings at each time point for each storage temperature was calculated. Platelet counts showed an unacceptable shift within 1 h at 37°C and 3 h at 33°C; red cell volume related parameters showed an unacceptable shift within 3 h at 37°C and 6 h at 33°C. Haemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count and mean corpuscular haemoglobin remained stable for 6 h at both temperatures. The unacceptable change for many parameters on storage at ≥33°C demonstrates the importance of ensuring pre-analytical control in regions experiencing such climatic conditions.