J Clin Pathol Qual Control.  2001 Dec;23(2):307-313.

Evaluation of EstarVac(R) Evacuated Blood-collection Tubes

• Kim JS
• Bae SY
• Kim YR
• Yoon SY
• Kim YK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We evaluated EstarVac(R) tubes for routine hematology, coagulation, TDM and chemistry test by direct comparison with previously used tubes (manufactured by A company).
METHODS
1) We performed routine CBC of 45 patients and 75 normal individuals, at the same time collected with EstarVac(R) EDTA tube and A EDTA tube. To evaluate the effect of storage time, we compared the results of the 6-hr and 24-hr samples with the values from the 30-min samples using blood specimens collected from 32 donors. 2) To compare CTAD tube, we performed PT and aPTT using 30 samples. 3) The comparison of chemistry results between EstarVac(R) SS tube and A SS tube was performed for 13 items in 92 samples. Storage effects before and after serum separation were evaluated. 4) For evaluation of sterility of tubes, we performed the culture of microorganism in two company tubes. For precision of routine hematology and chemistry tests, coefficient of variation was compared in A tubes and EstarVac(R) tubes.
RESULTS
In routine hematologic and chemistry tests, most tests didn't show statistically significant difference between A and EstarVac(R) tubes. And tests showed statistically significant different, were thought to be clinically not significant. Satisfactory results were obtained in coagulation tests. Good correlation between A and EstarVac(R) tubes were noted.
CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that the EstarVac(R) tubes are suitable for collection of blood and storage of serum for commonly ordered laboratory tests, compared with previously used tubes.

MeSH Terms

Chemistry
Edetic Acid
Hematology
Humans
Infertility
Tissue Donors
Edetic Acid