Table II.

Pre-analytical considerations.

Author, year	Pre-analytical considerations	(Refs.)
Muller et al, 2014; Witwer et al, 2013	Venous blood from patients or healthy volunteers is collected into tubes without heparin-based anticoagulants, EDTA may be more appropriate.	(46,47)
Witwer et al, 2013	Blood should be processed quickly at room temperature.	(47)
Witwer et al, 2013	Collected blood should be handled gently and tubes should be vertically positioned prior to centrifugation.	(47)
Witwer et al, 2013	Both plasma and serum can be used, but most studies indicate the isolation of exosomes prefers to plasma.	(47)
Muller et al, 2014	Harvested plasma or serum should be immediately used or stored at −80°C.	(46)