Effects of storage time and temperature on thromboelastographic analysis in dogs and horses.

This research article investigates how the storage time and temperature can impact the results of thromboelastographic (TEG) analysis in dogs and horses. The main findings show that canine samples can be stored up to 2 hours at refrigerator temperature without affecting the results, while equine samples should be stored for up to 30 minutes at room temperature to maintain accuracy.

Objective and Methodology

• The main aim of the study was to evaluate the stability of citrated blood samples from dogs and horses when stored for extended periods at room and refrigerator temperatures.
• The study involved blood samples from healthy dogs and horses (10 of each), which were stored at room temperature for 30 minutes as a baseline before undergoing thromboelastography (TEG).
• The baseline values for TEG variables (R, K, α, MA, LY30, and LY60) were compared with those from samples stored for 2, 8, and 22.5 hours at both room and refrigerator temperatures.

Research Findings

• In the canine samples, significant differences were found, including shorter R values, longer K values, decreased MA, and increased LY60 at different time points and storage temperatures from 2 hours onward.
• Only the samples stored at refrigerator temperature for 2 hours showed acceptable stability when compared to the total allowable analytical error (TE).
• In the case of the equine samples, significant differences were found too, including shorter R and K values, and decreased α, LY30, and LY60 at various time points and temperatures from 2 hours onward.
• Interestingly, the equine samples were not stable at any time compared to TE, regardless of the temperature.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that canine blood samples could be stored for up to 2 hours at refrigerator temperature without affecting TEG results. This finding increases the accessibility of the TEG procedure for general practitioners.
• However, equine samples showed no stable storage point in this study. Therefore, to gain accurate results, they need to be stored for a maximum of 30 minutes at room temperature before undergoing testing. This implies a limitation for practical use in the field.