DETECTION OF LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT - AN EVALUATION OF ROUTINES FOR PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF PLASMA

When testing plasma samples for the presence of lupus anticoagulants (LA) pre-analytical variables are important. Proper platelet removal from plasma is essential, as procoagulant platelet phospholipids may shorten clotting tests and cause false negative test results (1-6). Less attention has been paid to whether storage conditions, such as transportation of plasma samples by mail, may influence test results. In this study we discuss the effect of various processing and storage procedures on the diagnosis and quantitation of LA. A quantitative test with integrated screening and confirmatory steps, based on the APTT (LR-APTT) and the RVVT (LR-RVVT) system, was used (7).