Norepinephrine, Plasma

Test Code

37562

CPT Codes
82542

Preferred Specimen

2 mL plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube - See instructions

Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is preferred. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube - See instructions

Instructions

Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Draw specimen in a pre-chilled green-top vacutainer.

Plasma should be separated in a refrigerated centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection and then frozen immediately at -20°C in plastic vials. Each specimen will be invoiced separately.

Transport Container

Plastic screw-cap vials

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 6 hours
Refrigerated: 6 hours
Frozen: 60 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received room temperature • Received refrigerated

Methodology
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Fri night; Report available: 4-7 days

Limitations

False-positive results have been observed in patients with either chronic kidney disease and hypertension.

Reference Range

Norepinephrine, Plasma

<18 years	No Reference Range Available
≥18 years	Supine: 149-564 pg/mL Upright: 199-937 pg/mL

Clinical Significance

Plasma norepinephrine is an independent risk factor in patients with chronic congestive heart failure that relates to subsequent mortality. Norepinephrine is useful in evaluating patients with hypertension.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.