Pseudocholinesterase, Total, Serum
Use
This test is useful for monitoring exposure to organophosphorus insecticides and herbicides, monitoring patients with liver disease particularly those undergoing liver transplantation, and identifying patients who are homozygous or heterozygous for an atypical gene with low levels of pseudocholinesterase. It also aids in diagnosing acute organophosphate insecticide and herbicide exposure and serves as a preoperative screening for patients with a history of prolonged paralysis after using the muscle relaxant succinylcholine for anesthesia.
Special Instructions
Patient's age and sex are required. It's recommended that blood specimens be drawn 24 to 48 hours post-operatively for those patients who have experienced prolonged apnea after surgery.
Limitations
There are homozygous and heterozygous individuals who are sensitive to succinylcholine although their total PCHE values are normal. A dibucaine inhibition test is necessary to confirm the presence of the abnormal allele in these individuals. Certain drugs and anesthetic agents may produce in vitro inhibition of the PCHE activity. Chemotherapies and rare cases of gammopathy may affect results, requiring repeated testing. Method changes can lead to value misinterpretations; values are approximately 80% increased post-January 2020 compared to historical values.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Clinical Chemistry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 2098-2
- 2098-2
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Serum gel or Red top, submitted in a Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Patient Preparation
For patients with prolonged apnea following surgery, wait at least 24 hours before obtaining specimen.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, Gross lipemia, Gross icterus
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 365 days |