The Effects of Quality and Timing of Venepuncture on Markers of Blood Coagulation in Healthy Middle-aged Men

Summary

Effects of the quality and the time of venepuncture on factor VII coagulant activity (VII_C) and the concentrations of fibrinogen, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F_{1 + 2}) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were sought in 2665 men, of whom 2334 were re-examined after about one year. Venepunctures were categorised as satisfactory, not fully satisfactory or unsatisfactory according to pre-defined criteria. Neither the quality nor timing of the venepuncture influenced VII_Cor fibrinogen concentration. However, at baseline and re-examination F_{1 + 2}and FPA were increased on average by about 9% and 45% respectively when venepunctures were not fully satisfactory, and by about 11% and 100% when unsatisfactory. Plasma collected after 1500 h had slightly but significantly lower levels of F_{1 + 2}and FPA than samples taken earlier, possibly due to circadian rhythm. The results emphasise the need for careful surveillance of the venepuncture procedure and the value of FPA when using F_{1+ 2}as a marker of risk of thrombosis.

• References

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