Why Sample Haemolyze?

What is Haemolysis?

When the serum shows reddish in colour and fibrin is produced, indicating the sample has haemolysed. This is due to the destruction of RBC membrane and release of the components within the cell.

(Left) Normal serum , (Middle) Haemolysed sample , (Right) Jaundice sample

Hemolyzed sample.

(Left)  4plus [++++] or more 

(Right) 3plus [+++]

Few causes of haemolyse:

1. In laboratory -- The tube is spun before the blood has clotted
2. Transportation -- Temperature, Duration, Storage
3. Blood drawing technique -- High force applied when the blood is drawn or placed into the tube.
4. Patient -- Fragile  RBC due to diseases or having treatment
5. Serum and RBC is not separated for too long.

How if the haemolysed sample is used?
The results of Potassium level, CKBM and few enzymes tests such as ALT, AST, ALKP and so on will not be accurate.


Example:
A patient sample which is haemolysed was tested and resulted in 5.8 for potassium value.
After the new sample from the same patient is retested, it shows 4.8 for the potassium value.

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More information:
http://www.bd.com/vacutainer/pdfs/techtalk/TechTalk_Jan2004_VS7167.pdf