Annals of Clinical Biochemistry > Volume 45, Number 3 > Pp. 318-319

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Two-year stability of NT-proBNP in frozen samples using the Roche Elecsys system

B Cauliez, J Guignery, S Marinier, I Mariau and A Lavoinne

Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale, CHU de Rouen-Hôpital Charles Nicolle, 76031 Rouen-Cedex, France

Corresponding author: Dr Bruno Cauliez. Email: Bruno.Cauliez{at}chu-rouen.fr

Background: The in vitro stability of N-terminal (NT)-proBNP (brain natriuretic peptide) at room temperature and at 4°C is excellent and has been well studied. However, less is known concerning its stability after a long-term frozen storage. This notion could be of major interest in the context of clinical evaluations.

Methods: NT-proBNP was measured on 97 heparinized samples before and after a two-year frozen storage (–20°C) using the Roche Elecsys system.

Results: There is a slight but significant decrease of NT-proBNP concentration after frozen storage. However, this decrease is <10% for more than 90% of the samples and the maximum decrease is 16%. Moreover, values on frozen samples are well correlated with values on fresh samples (r = 0.99) using the following equation: NT-proBNP_{stored sample} = 0.93 NT-proBNP_{fresh sample} + 81. A similar equation was found in lower concentrations (NT-proBNP 2000 ng/L).

Conclusions: These data show that NT-proBNP can be stored for at least two years at –20°C before measurement without a substantial loss of immunoreactivity.

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