Effect of Storage Temperature on D-Dimer Stability in Different ABO Blood Groups

Abstract

Introduction: D-dimer is the end product of fibrin degradation formed during the disintegration of blood clots and fibrin networks. It is an invaluable analyte in evaluating thrombin and plasmin activity and is specific for fibrin derivatives. This study evaluated the effects of storage temperatures on D-dimer stability in different ABO blood types stored over a defined period of time.

Materials and Methods: The study was performed with 40 samples collected randomly from apparently healthy male and female undergraduate students of Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, aged between 17 and 45 years. Two milliliters (2ml) of whole blood were collected from each participant with the specified ABO blood type into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant bottle, and plasma was separated and stored at two different temperatures of +6^oc and +25^oC for a period of 24 hours and 48 hours respectively. Following the manufacturer's instructions, the plasma blood sample was analyzed using the Standard F-D-dimer FIA reagent and SD-Biosensor analyzer. Data obtained were analyzed statistically using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23, and results were considered significant at p< 0.05. 

Results: Results obtained showed that D-dimer baseline values vary significantly across the various blood groups O (2120.50±0.71), followed by A (411.00±1.41), AB (167.00±1.41) and B (149.50± 0.71) respectively. D-dimer values decreased after storage at +6^oc for 24 hours in group A (324.50 ± 0.71), AB (149.50±0.07), and O (1499.00±1.41) but increased in B (151.00 ± 1.41) when compared with baseline values (p<0.05). At +25^oC, D-dimer values increased in blood group A (443.00 ± 1.41), and B (155.001±1.21) and decreased in AB (154.50 ± 0.71) and O (1649.00 ± 1.41) after 24 hours storage but increased in B and AB while decreasing in A and O after 48 hours storage (p<0.05) respectively.

Conclusion: This study revealed that D-dimer levels vary based on different blood groups, prolonged blood storage affects D-dimer stability, and different storage temperatures have discernable impacts on D-dimer stability. Thus, blood samples for the D-dimer test should be assayed immediately after sample collection and separation and not stored to avoid erroneous results.