The impact of collection tube fill volume on international normalized ratio

INTRODUCTION: Pre-analytical variability currently represents the most important source of errors that can lead to inaccurate patient results in monitoring of patients treated with oral anticoagulant therapy. The volume of blood collected is critical for accurate coagulation results. The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory (NCCLS) recommends a ratio of blood to anticoagulant volume of 9:1. However, investigators have published reports which suggest that a lower ratio may acceptable. Unfortunately the recommendations of these reports are inconsistent. : The aim of this study was to determine the impact of tube fill volume on INR values both in healthy subjects and patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. : INR values were obtained by processing coagulation specimens containing different volumes of whole blood. The study group included 30 patients taking anticoagulation therapy and 15 healthy volunteers. Respectively 2.5ml, 3 ml, 3.5 ml, 4 ml and 4.5 ml of whole blood was drawn into tubes containing a fixed of 3.2% (0.109M) sodium citrate. : The INR values increased as total tube fill volumes decreased for both groups but this finding did not reach statistical significance in either group for the tube volumes studied. : For blood specimens collected in 3.2% citrate anticoagulant, a total tube fill volume of greater than 56% yielded reliable INR results