Comparisons of metabolite profile from paired serum and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid–plasma samples using dry chemistry technology: An emergency department perspective

Abstract

BACKGROUND: No data is available evaluating the difference in serum versus plasma sample assay of commonly tested parameters in the emergency department, where the sample processing time can be significantly reduced if plasma is used for analysis instead of conventionally used serum. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the differences in serum versus plasma sample estimation of commonly evaluated biochemical parameters using dry chemistry technology.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paired blood samples were collected from a single venipuncture of 405 patients admitted to the emergency department. Dry chemistry autoanalyzer (Vitros-350, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics) was used to process all the samples.RESULTS: Data from 401 patients were analyzed. Percentage differences between serum versus plasma samples for all analytes ranged from 0.0% to 57.44% and were