011/3393000
011/3392000
060/3392004
Gundulićev venac 5, Beograd

Patient Preparation for Plasma Catecholamines

Determination of Catecholamines in EDTA Plasma

The quantitative determination of catecholamine content (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) in EDTA plasma is performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an electrochemical detector, a technique that is the gold standard in laboratory diagnostics. This technique enables accurate and reliable chromatographic quantification of all three parameters from a single sample.

Patient Preparation

One day before sampling, do not consume: coffee, Coca-Cola, bananas, oranges, chocolate, tomatoes, pineapples, hazelnuts, kiwis, avocados. It is desirable to discontinue therapy with medications containing adrenaline or similar compounds 5 days before sampling: dopamine, methyldopa (Aldomet, Aldoril, Dopegit, Dopamet), as well as tetracyclines, ampicillin, erythromycin, quinine, aspirin, and beta-blockers.

Sampling

Venipuncture should be performed on the patient in a lying or reclined position using a butterfly needle inserted 20-30 minutes earlier. Carefully mix the test tube with the sample by inverting it 8-10 times and then centrifuge and separate the plasma.

Patient PreparationSample Stability

At room temperature for up to 2 hours. For longer storage (up to 9 months), freeze the samples (-20°C). Recommendation: Immediately freeze the plasma at -20°C after separation due to the rapid degradation of catecholamines!

Required Sample Volume

The minimum volume for analysis is 1ml of plasma; the preferred volume is 2ml (for potential repeat testing).