Catecholamines, Plasma

Test Preparation:

3 mL min. Plasma from pre-chilled Green Top (Sodium Heparin) / Lavender Top (EDTA) tubes. Adhere to REQUESTED specimen volume. Draw specimen as follows: Patient should be at rest for 30 minutes after insertion of an IV cannula (If suggested by Dr). Collect specimen with patient supine position. Immerse specimen immediately in ice water. Separate plasma within 10 minutes, preferably in cold centrifuge, transfer into sterile screw capped vial and FREEZE immediately. Ship frozen. DO NOT THAW. Patient should strictly avoid drugs like Aldomet (Alpha methyldopa), Labetalol, Isoproterenol, Isoetharine, Alpha-one blockers, Aminophylline, Amphetamines, Ampicillin, Beta-blockers, Ephedrine, Imipramin