Assessment of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen concentration on equine plasma samples following different storage conditions.

The research article investigates the impact of various storage conditions on the measurement of certain parameters—prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen concentration—in blood plasma samples from healthy horses.

Objective and Methodology

• The purpose of this study was to examine how different storage conditions affect the measurement of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen concentration in blood samples taken from healthy horses.
• A total of 100 healthy horses of various breeds and genders, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years, with a mean body weight of 480 +/- 70 kg, were used for this study.
• The researchers collected blood from the horses via jugular venipuncture and conducted a hemochrome-cytometric examination on every sample. Each blood sample was spun in a centrifuge and then divided into 4 different parts revealing clotting parameters using a coagulometer.

Experiment Conditions and Analysis

• The first set of aliquots were analyzed 1 hr after collection; the second at 8 degrees Celsius for 6 hr; the third at -20 degrees Celsius for 24 hr; and the fourth at -20 degrees Celsius for 48 hr.
• The results of the samples were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis variance. The study found significant differences in the measurements across all parameters under all conditions. The experimental conditions had a noticeable impact on results.

Research Outcome

• The results indicate that coagulation tests can be effectively done within 6 hours if samples are stored at 8 degrees C, because this short-term refrigeration doesn’t affect the analysis results.
• However, storing samples at -20 degrees C is permissible for 24 hours only since storing them for 48 hours would alter the clotting parameter measurements — implying that PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen concentration can remain stable up to 24 hours.
• The study emphasized that in horses, clotting parameters only stay stable for up to 24 hours without negatively affecting the hemostasis test results.