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ABSTRACT: Background
Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is intensively investigated in various medical fields. However, comparing VEGF-A measurements is difficult because sample acquisition and pre-analytic procedures differ between studies. We therefore investigated which variables act as confounders of VEGF-A measurements.Methods
Following a standardized protocol, blood was taken at three clinical sites from six healthy participants (one male and one female participant at each center) twice one week apart. The following pre-analytical parameters were varied in order to analyze their impact on VEGF-A measurements: analyzing center, anticoagulant (EDTA vs. PECT / CTAD), cannula (butterfly vs. neonatal), type of centrifuge (swing-out vs. fixed-angle), time before and after centrifugation, filling level (completely filled vs. half-filled tubes) and analyzing method (ELISA vs. multiplex bead array). Additionally, intrapersonal variations over time and sex differences were explored. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear regression model.Results
The following parameters were identified as statistically significant independent confounders of VEGF-A measurements: analyzing center, anticoagulant, centrifuge, analyzing method and sex of the proband. The following parameters were no significant confounders in our data set: intrapersonal variation over one week, cannula, time before and after centrifugation and filling level of collection tubes.Conclusion
VEGF-A measurement results can be affected significantly by the identified pre-analytical parameters. We recommend the use of CTAD anticoagulant, a standardized type of centrifuge and one central laboratory using the same analyzing method for all samples.
SUBMITTER: Walz JM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4711588 | biostudies-literature | 2016
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Walz Johanna M JM Boehringer Daniel D Deissler Heidrun L HL Faerber Lothar L Goepfert Jens C JC Heiduschka Peter P Kleeberger Susannah M SM Klettner Alexa A Krohne Tim U TU Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole N Ziemssen Focke F Stahl Andreas A
PloS one 20160105 1
<h4>Background</h4>Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is intensively investigated in various medical fields. However, comparing VEGF-A measurements is difficult because sample acquisition and pre-analytic procedures differ between studies. We therefore investigated which variables act as confounders of VEGF-A measurements.<h4>Methods</h4>Following a standardized protocol, blood was taken at three clinical sites from six healthy participants (one male and one female participant at each ...[more]