Suitable sample processing and placement are critical for accurate detection of circulating mtDNA
(A) Comparison of mtDNA copy number between 4°C (orange) and room temperature (RT, purple) at different placement times of peripheral blood. (B) Comparison of median mtDNA fragment size between 4°C (orange) and RT (purple) at different placement times of peripheral blood. (C) Comparison of mtDNA copy number between 4°C (orange) and RT (purple) at different placement times of plasma. (D) Comparison of median mtDNA fragment size between 4°C (orange) and RT (purple) at different placement times of plasma. The significance between groups was determined by a paired t test. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01.