The Effect of Delayed Separation on Potassium and Sodium Plasma Level

Abstract

This is a descriptive study conducted at Khartoum state during the period from January to June 2009. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of delayed blood separation on plasma potassium and plasma sodium level, measured by flame emission photometer. In this study 100 blood samples were tested for potassium and sodium level at different time intervals after collection. The study approved that potassium level decreased after delayed separation up to 6 hours and increased between 6-24 hours when blood samples were kept at temperature (30oC). The mean decrease in plasma potassium was 0.24 mmol/L after 2hours, 0.28 mmol/L after 4 hours and 0.33 mmol/L after 6 hours. The mean increase was (-0.36 mmol/L after 8 hours and (-2.0) mmol/L after 24 hours as compare with zero time result. The results showed that sodium level clinically was not affected after delayed separation when blood was kept at temperature (30oC). The mean sodium level was (-0.09 mmol/L) after 2 hours, -0.09 mmol/L after 4 hours, -0.35 mmol/L after 6 hours, 0.22 mmol/L after 8ours and 1.17 mmol/L after 24 hours as compared with zero time results. Furthermore the results showed that there was statistically significant difference in plasma potassium level between the results obtained immediately after sample collection (zero time) and the results obtained after all intervals of times (P<0.05), there was non significant difference in the plasma sodium level between results obtained after 2 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours (P<0.05) and there was a significant difference in plasma sodium level between results obtained after 6 hours immediately (zero time) and results obtained after 6 hours and 24 hours, but they are Clinically not significant (P<0.05).