Longitudinal Stability of Coagulation, Fibrinolysis, and Inflammation Factors in Stored Plasma Samples

Michael R. Lewis; Peter W. Callas; Nancy S. Jenny; Russell P. Tracy

doi:10.1055/s-0037-1616754

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2001; 86(06): 1495-1500
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616754

Review Article

Schattauer GmbH

Longitudinal Stability of Coagulation, Fibrinolysis, and Inflammation Factors in Stored Plasma Samples

Michael R. Lewis

¹Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT

,

Peter W. Callas

²Biometry Facility, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT

,

Nancy S. Jenny

¹Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT

,

Russell P. Tracy

¹Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT

³Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

We sought to assess the longitudinal stability of risk factors for atherosclerosis and thrombosis, including several coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation factors, in frozen plasma samples stored at –70° C for months or years. We reviewed data collected on 29 different control pools over periods ranging from 7 to 59 months for two functional assays (factor VII and fibrinogen) and seven antigen measurements (C-reactive protein, D-dimer, plasmin-α ₂-antiplasmin complex, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, protein C, protein S, and tissue plasminogen activator), totaling more than 15,000 data points. Screening of the data using least squares regression revealed only sporadic associations between monthly means and time, with no consistent trends. Analysis by repeated measures and summary measure methods revealed no evidence of sample degradation over time for the factors studied. Our finding of longitudinal stability in the biochemical properties of frozen plasma strengthens the presumption of sample stability on which molecular epidemiologic studies are based.

Keywords

Acute-phase proteins - atherosclerosis - blood coagulation factors - molecular epidemiology - thrombosis

Full Text

References

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