OBJECTIVES: In an attempt to reduce false positive results and improve turnaround time, we investigated the BD Rapid Serum Tube as an alternate sample type to lithium heparin plasma for Roche Troponin T analysis on the Roche Cobas e411 analyzer. DESIGN AND METHODS: BD Plasma Separator Tubes (PST) and Rapid Serum Tubes (RST) were collected in tandem from Emergency Department patients who had clinical orders for Troponin T over a 1 month period. RESULTS: RST and PST samples yielded analytically and clinically concordant Troponin T results on the Roche Cobas e411. Rare false positive results in lithium heparin samples were not observed with rapid clot serum tubes. CONCLUSIONS: RST samples are appropriate for stat Troponin T analysis, and appear to reduce the incidence of rare false positive Troponin T results obtained with lithium heparin samples.
OBJECTIVES: In an attempt to reduce false positive results and improve turnaround time, we investigated the BD Rapid Serum Tube as an alternate sample type to lithium heparin plasma for Roche Troponin T analysis on the Roche Cobas e411 analyzer. DESIGN AND METHODS: BD Plasma Separator Tubes (PST) and Rapid Serum Tubes (RST) were collected in tandem from Emergency Department patients who had clinical orders for Troponin T over a 1 month period. RESULTS: RST and PST samples yielded analytically and clinically concordant Troponin T results on the Roche Cobas e411. Rare false positive results in lithium heparin samples were not observed with rapid clot serum tubes. CONCLUSIONS: RST samples are appropriate for stat Troponin T analysis, and appear to reduce the incidence of rare false positive Troponin T results obtained with lithium heparin samples.