Objective: The cardiac troponins are sensitive and specific biochemical markers of myocardial damage. It has been suggested that hemolysis causes interference in the immunometric cardiac troponin assay. The current study aimed to determine the significance of hemolysis as an interferent in Immulite 2000 (Siemens/ DPC, USA) troponin I chemiluminescent immunometric assay.

Materials and Methods: Serum pools containing three different concentrations of troponin I (low: 1.17, moderate: 3.75, high: 22.15 ng/mL) were created from nonhemolysed patient serum samples. The osmotic shock method was utilized to prepare hemolysate. Hemolysates were obtained at three different concentrations of hemoglobin (0.60, 1.50 and 3.00 g/dl). Hemoglobin measurement was made with ABL 800 Flex (Radiometer, Denmark). Hemolysate prepared was added to the pool containing different concentrations of serum troponin I and hemolysis index (slight, moderate and gross) were determined with spectrophotometric method in Architect c8000 (Abbott Diagnostics, Japan) system.

Results: The greatest negative bias was observed for those samples in which the lowest concentrations of troponin I with gross hemolysis. Analytic performance criteria of troponin I assay in all hemolysis index was calculated as TE (total error) < % TEa (total allowable error) [TEa = %30, CLIA 2003].

Conclusion: In low analyte concentrations, hemolysis depending on hemolysate concentration leads to negative bias, but does not disrupt the analytical performance of the test in Immulite 2000 (Siemens/DPC, USA) chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Since the low concentrations of troponin I is close to the level of clinical decisions, the determination of hemolysis degree and prevention of hemolysis at preanalytical period is vital.