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Dibucaine Number

CPT 82638
Synonyms
  • Dibucaine Inhibition

Test Details

Methodology

Cholinesterase by spectrophotometry (Ellman) with dibucaine inhibition

Result Turnaround Time

3 - 5 days

Use

Assess the presence of homozygous or heterozygous “atypical” cholinesterase variant, in patients who have low result of serum or plasma cholinesterase assay, and may be at risk of apnea when given succinylcholine muscle relaxant

Specimen Requirements

Test Includes

Dibucaine percent inhibition only

Limitations

No single simple test currently exists that can detect all enzyme variants.

This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined, by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Custom Additional Information

The degree of serum or plasma cholinesterase inhibition produced by dibucaine is under genetic control. Sensitivity to succinyl choline is dependent upon at least four allelic genes. The total quantitative cholinesterase determination may not be reliable in detecting sensitivity to succinyl choline as variant enzymes exhibit qualitative and quantitative differences in substrate specificity.

The dibucaine number indicates the percent inhibition of enzyme activity by this agent when a serum or plasma sample is tested under standard conditions (inhibition expressed as a percent). This approach to detection of serum or plasma cholinesterase variants does not entirely avoid the problem of variation in reactivity with some atypical enzymes. Prolonged apnea following hemodilutional cardiopulmonary bypass has been reported in a patient whose admission (preoperative) plasma cholinesterase level was slightly below the normal range.1

Specimen

Serum or plasma

Volume

0.5 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Container

Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Storage Instructions

Room temperature

Causes for Rejection

Plasma or serum not separated from cells; frozen whole blood received; hemolysis

Collection Instructions

Separate serum or plasma from cells and place in transport tube. Mark transport tube appropriately “serum” or “plasma.”

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3

Reference Range

Normal: 70% to 90% inhibition; heterozygotes: 30% to 70% inhibition; homozygotes: 0% to 30% inhibition

Footnotes

1. Jackson SH, Bailey GW, Stevens G. Reduced plasma cholinesterase following haemodilutional cardiopulmonary bypass. Anaesthesia. 1982 Mar; 37(3):319-321. 7091605

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
081513 Dibucaine Number 39354-6 081513 Dibucaine Number % inhibition 39354-6
Order Code081513
Order Code NameDibucaine Number
Order Loinc39354-6
Result Code081513
Result Code NameDibucaine Number
UofM% inhibition
Result LOINC39354-6