Back to Test Directory0214 : Catecholamines, Plasma
INFORMATION:
Alternate Name:
Free Catecholamine Fractionation, Plasma
Methodology:
High Pressure Liquid Chromatography
Clinical Utility:
Used in the evaluation of neuroendrocrine tumors such as pheochormocytoma and neuroblastoma
ORDERING:
Test Code:
0214-7
Turnaround Time:
9 DAYS
Preferred Specimen:
4 mL Aliquot Plasma Heparinized-green top
Collection:
| Container | Qty | Temp | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliquot Plasma Heparinized-green top | 1 | STRICT Frozen | 30 DAYS |
Collection Instructions:
ALQH: Spin tube for 10 minutes, transfer plasma into a transfer tube, label with patient's name and that it is HEP PLASMA
Storage Transport Instructions:
Custom Instruction: Patient should not be smoking for four to six hours. Walnuts, bananas, and a-methyldopa (Aldomet®) should be avoided for a week prior to sampling. Other drug interference may occur, including epinephrine and epinephrine-like drugs (eg, nosedrops, sinus and cough preparations, bronchodilators, appetite suppressants). Patient Preparation: Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Draw specimen in a pre-chilled green-top vacutainer.Collection Instructions: After drawing specimen, place green-top tube in ice bath. Centrifuge for 20 minutes 1000XG. The plasma **must** be free of RBC’s. Freeze on dry ice to transport.
Specimen Comment:
Submit hep. plasma (green)
Draw blood in lavender-top (EDTA) tube or green-top (heparin) tube. Invert to mix with preservatives. Centrifuge and transfer the plasma to labeled plastic transport tube. Freeze immediately (within one hour after collection) at -20°C and ship frozen. The time between blood collection and the preparation of plasma is quite critical; if the time exceeds one hour, catecholamine values increase (when blood is kept at 4°C) or decrease (when left at 20°C).1 To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested. Label with patient's name and that it is HEP PLASMA__
Draw blood in lavender-top (EDTA) tube or green-top (heparin) tube. Invert to mix with preservatives. Centrifuge and transfer the plasma to labeled plastic transport tube. Freeze immediately (within one hour after collection) at -20°C and ship frozen. The time between blood collection and the preparation of plasma is quite critical; if the time exceeds one hour, catecholamine values increase (when blood is kept at 4°C) or decrease (when left at 20°C).1 To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested. Label with patient's name and that it is HEP PLASMA__
Alternative Specimen:
Aliquot Plasma-EDTA-Lavender Top
Billing:
CPT Codes:
82384 x 1
CPT Code Disclaimer
CPT codes provided are for informational purposes only. Accuracy of CPT presented should be validated prior to consideration for billing.
CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding CPT coding to the payer being billed.
