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Italian DOCUMENTI - Documents
Volume:
Biochimica Clinica 2019; 43(2) 178-186
Published on-line:
November 26, 2018
DOI:
10.19186/BC_2018.069
Siero o plasma? Un quesito non nuovo che attende risposte nuove
AUTHORS
1Dipartimento Strutturale Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova
2IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Università Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milano
3Università degli Studi di Tor Vergata, Roma
4Unità Operativa Complessa Patologia Clinica Presidio Ospedaliero Sant'Eugenio/CTO ASL Roma 2
5IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena Roma
6Unità Operativa Patologia Clinica, AUSL della Romagna, Cesena
7Direttore Servizio Integrato di Medicina di Laboratorio e Anatomia Patologica, Centro Diagnostico Italiano Spa, Milano
8Laboratorio Unico Metropolitano, AUSL Bologna, Bologna
9Dipartimento di Medicina di Laboratorio e Anatomia Patologica Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria e USL di Modena
ABSTRACT
Serum or plasma? An old question awaiting for new answers.
There is a continual debate on what type of sample a clinical laboratory should use. While serum is still considered the gold standard and remains the required sample matrix for some assays, laboratories must consider turn-around time, which is an important metric for laboratory performance and, more importantly, plays a critical role in patient care. In addition, a body of evidence emphasize the choice of plasma samples in order to prevent modifications of some measurands due to the coagulation process and related interferences. Advantages and disadvantages of serum and plasma are discussed on the basis of current literature and evidence. In addition, data are provided on the current utilization of the matrix (serum or plasma) in Italy and in other Countries. Finally, a rational for a possible shift from serum to plasma is provided.