Evaluation of valproic acid fluoroimmunoassay and comparison with a gas liquid chromatographic method.

A method for monitoring valproic acid in serum with a fluoroimmunoassay is described. The evaluation was performed with run-to-run and within-run reproducibility, dilution, and recovery tests. The interferences of hemoglobin, bilirubin, and triglycerides were checked, and a comparison with a gas liquid chromatographic method was also performed. The between-run and within-run coefficients of variation were less than 5.2 and 2.6%, respectively. The method gave satisfactory results in dilution tests and a high correlation with a gas liquid chromatographic method (r = 0.98). The percentage of recovery was greater than 97%. No interference from hemolysis, bilirubin, or triglycerides was observed. The accuracy and simplicity of this method make it suitable for routine laboratory use.