Flow cytometric comparison of platelets from a whole blood and finger-prick sample : impact of 24 hours storage

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the validity and laboratory utility of flow cytometry when analyzing platelet activation by studying CD41, CD42b, CD62P and CD63. We compare flow cytometry results from citrated whole blood and finger-prick samples directly after collection and also after storing both a finger-prick and whole blood sample for 24 hours. Citrated whole blood and finger-prick samples were taken from three healthy individuals on two occasions, and a total of 60 000 cells were analyzed for each of the 4 phycoerythrin-labelled monoclonal antibodies. Half of each sample was analyzed immediately after sampling while the other half was kept in the fridge at 6°C for 24 hours before analysis. No significant difference was found between the sampling methods or the period of time before analysis. Results therefore suggest that an appropriately prepared finger-prick sample can be used for platelet function analysis, and samples can be stored for 24 hours in the fridge at 6°C before analysis.