Newcastle Laboratories

Cholinesterase (pseudocholinestease), phenotype

Clinical Background:

Cholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the muscle relaxants suxamethonium (scoline) and mivacurium which shows a great deal of genetic variation. Some variants lead to an eff...

Cholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the muscle relaxants suxamethonium (scoline) and mivacurium which shows a great deal of genetic variation. Some variants lead to an effective enzyme deficiency which impairs an individual’s ability to metabolise the drugs and leads to prolonged paralysis and apnoea.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    EDTA whole blood

    EDTA whole blood

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    EDTA whole blood

    EDTA whole blood

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    5 mL blood

    5 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    5 mL blood

    5 mL blood

  • Special Requirement:

    Do not collect sample while patient is still paralysed after possible scoline apnoea.
    Do not send on Friday.

    Do not collect sample while patient is still paralysed after possible scoline apnoea.
    Do not send on Friday.

  • Sample Stability:

    Store sample at 4°C

    Store sample at 4°C

  • Transport Requirements:

    Post

    Post

  • Reference Ranges:

    Provided on report from referral laboratory.

    Provided on report from referral laboratory.

  • Other Info:

    SST serum sample also acceptable

    SST serum sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

Sample sent to an external laboratory for analysis.

Turn Around:

3-4 weeks

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