Platelet function measured by multiplate electrode aggregometry (Multiplate ®​): A comparison between manual and pneumatic tube transportation- preliminary results

Introduction Pneumatic tube transport systems (PTS) for delivery of patient samples to a central laboratory are often used to reduce turnaround time. To measure platelet function multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) is used. It has been hypothesized that accelerations and decelerations to the samples in the PTS can impair platelet function. This effect of PTS transport on platelet activity remains controversial and therefore common guidelines have recommended against transportation of material for platelet function analysis via PTS. Method Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of PTS transport (TranspoNet (Swisslog), ~3m/s) on platelet function as measured by median Area Under the Curve (AUC) (Multiplate®​ analyzer; Roche, Germany). Triplicate samples (anticoagulated with hirudin) were collected from 20 individuals. Two samples (A, B) were carried manually, the third (C) was sent using PTS to the lab. The samples were stored at room temperature before analysis in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Platelets from the second manually transported sample (B) were activated via shaker (IKA®​ Vortex 2: 2500rpm). ADP-, ASPI-, COL-, RISTO- and TRAP-test were applied 30 and 60 min after arrival in the lab in all three samples. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests (Friedman & Wilcoxon test for paired samples; MedCalc software bvba). Results Samples arrived in the lab ~15 min (group A/ B) or ~20 min (group C) after blood drawl. Platelet function analyzed after 30- and 60-min rest did not differ when comparing the three individual groups (A30 vs. A60, B30 vs. B60, C30 vs C60: p-value range: 0.39-0.45). In contrast, median ADP-AUCs between group A and C measured after 30 min were significantly reduced when transported via PTS (A: 791 vs. C: 674; p=0.028) with recovery when the analysis was performed 60 min after lab arrival (A: 763 vs. C: 723; p=0.79). An AUC increase was observed after 30 min rest when RISTO was applied as agonist (A: 1190 vs. C: 1215; p=0.004); again, following 60 min rest the significance was no longer present (A: 1323 vs. C: 1374; p=0.06). When TRAP was added the AUC difference reached a p-value of 0.06 after 30 min (A: 1435 vs. C: 1290) with no significance after 60 min rest (A: 1240 vs. 1349; p=0.52). Neither COL nor ASPI- tests showed statistically different results when comparing group A and C. Samples treated with platelet activation via shaker showed a significant increase when ADP was added: p=0.0007 (60 min) whereas after RISTO stimulation an AUC decrease was observed (A: 1321 vs. B. 1172; p=0.0073). Conclusion Preliminary data of our comparative study demonstrate that differences in platelet function analysis measured via Multiplate®​ can be eliminated when the analysis was performed 60 min after arrival in the lab. Therefore, at the present time, we cannot advise against sending samples for MEA analysis by PTS in our hospital setting. A larger number of samples will be added to this study to underline this recommendation. Publication History Article published online: 17 February 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany