Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

3 mL plasma from light green top tube or 1 Microtainer^®

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

Quintile     CRP mg/L        Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
   1         < 0.7           Lowest Risk
   2         0.7 - 1.1       Low Risk
   3         1.2 - 1.9       Moderate Risk
   4         2.0 - 3.8       High Risk
   5         3.9 - 15.0      Highest Risk
> 15.0 mg/L:  When Cardiac CRP is greater than 15.0 mg/L, risk 
analysis may be confounded by recent or acute inflammatory disease.  
Therefore, the risk for coronary heart disease cannot be provided for 
this patient.  A repeat specimen, taken two weeks after resolution of 
any acute inflammatory condition, may allow provision of coronary risk 
information.

References:
1.  Ridker, P.M. et al. 2000. N Engl J Med. 342;836-843.
2.  Rifai N. and Ridker, P.M. 2001. Clin Chem. 47; 403-411.
3.  Ridker, P.M. et al. 2002. N Engl J Med. 347;1557-1565.

Cardiac CRP is intended for the measurement of basal levels of C- reactive protein (CRP) as assessment of risk of developing of cardiovascular disease or ischemic events. Measurement of cardiac CRP in hospitalized patients and/or those with active systemic inflammatory or infectious processes is NOT clinically useful and will generally produce results that exceed the upper limit of the cardiac CRP assay.

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 1000 (approximate hemoglobin concentration: 1000 mg/dL).

Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 600 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 1200 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 60 (approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 60 mg/dL).

Significantly decreased CRP values may be obtained from samples taken from patients who have been treated with carboxypenicillins.

Turbidimetric method utilizing latex particles coated with CRP monoclonal antibodies.

Centrifuge at a speed and time necessary to get barrier separation of plasma/serum and cells within 1 hour of collection. Send specimen in original tube. Do Not transfer to another tube.
Each sample must be labeled with at least TWO full patient identifiers (First/Last Name & DOB are sufficient for non-UIHC affiliated clients) to avoid sample rejection/delays.

Refrigerate.
All sample storage requirements are intended for delivery to UIHC within 24 hours of collection for testing. If samples won't arrive in this time period, please call the UIHC Core Lab for alternative storage/shipping instructions (319-356-3527).

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place completed requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

See also:
C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Plasma