RAAS SCREENING (WITH ALDOSTERONE RENIN RATIO)

PATIENT PREPARATION: Diet and medication: Avoid high sodium intake and certain medications (e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers) as instructed by a healthcare provider. POSTURE: Supine (lying down) for at least 30 minutes if resting conditions are required. Upright (standing or seated) for at least 2 hours if posture effect is being measured. Test components: Aldosterone, Renin (plasma renin activity or direct renin), Aldosterone/Renin ratio BLOOD COLLECTION: Serum in SST or red top vacutainer (for aldosterone). EDTA tubes (purple top) (for renin activity). Volume: 5 mL each of blood. HANDLING (SERUM): Allow serum sample to clot. Centrifuge to separate serum. Transfer serum in red top vacutainer to a plastic vial without disturbing blood cells. Label properly with 2 patient identifiers and sample type i.e. serum. HANDLING (EDTA PLASMA): Keep chilled e.g. keep samples on ice slurry immediately after collection. Centrifuge within 30 minutes to separate plasma. Transfer EDTA plasma to a plastic vial without disturbing blood cells. Label properly with 2 patient identifiers and sample type i.e. EDTA plasma. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE (SERUM): Transport: Refrigerated (with frozen ice packs) or frozen (in dry ice). Record relevant patient information on the TRF i.e. posture (MANDATORY), medications. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE (EDTA PLASMA): Freezing: Freeze EDTA plasma immediately at -20°C or lower. Transport: Refrigerated (with frozen ice packs) or frozen (in dry ice). Record relevant patient information on the TRF i.e. posture (MANDATORY), medications.