Catecholamines, Fractionated, Upright, Plasma

Test Code

16382

CPT Codes
82384

Includes

Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Catecholamines Total

Preferred Specimen

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

Patient Preparation
Fasting overnight is preferred.
If baseline levels of the catecholamines or their metabolites are desired, the patient should abstain from any of the interference list for optimally 3 days (minimum of 8 to 12 hours for tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco and strenuous exercise - minimum of 18 to 24 hours for others) before the specimen is collected.
Patients should be relaxed in upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Frozen plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Instructions

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 Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 6 hours
Refrigerated: 6 hours
Frozen: 30 days

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

Received room temperature • Received refrigerated

Methodology
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)

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 FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Fri; Report available: 3-6 days

Clinical Significance

Clinically, the measurement of circulating catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with hypertension (Pheochromocytomas, Neuroblastomas, and Gangliomas) and with the evaluation of Orthostatic Hypotension.

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.