No other anticoagulant is acceptable.
Store unfilled tubes at room temperature.
Room temperature
If testing will be delayed longer than 4 hours from time of collection, transport frozen, platelet-poor plasma.
· 4 hours after collection at room temperature
· 2 weeks after collection at -20C
· 6 months after collection if stored at -70°C
Clotted
Hemolyzed
Under filled tube
Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate. Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion (see fill line on tube) to ensure a proper blood-to-anticoagulant ratio. Submit difficult draws in pediatric tube (0.5 mL frozen platelet-poor plasma). The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood.
Heparin is the most frequently used antithrombotic drug. The biological activity of this sulphated glycosaminoglycan resides in its ability to accelerate (up to 2000-fold) the inhibitory effect of antithrombin on coagulation proteases. In recent years, it has been shown that LMWH, besides being as useful therapeutically as UFH, also has a longer half-life.
Therapeutic range for LMWH - Lovenox is 0.5-1.0 U/mL
Prophylactic range for LMWH - Lovenox is 0.1-0.3 U/mL
The CPT codes included in this publication are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are provided here for the convenience of our clients; however, correct coding often varies from one carrier to another, and HealthLab may bill specific carriers using codes other than those shown. Clients who bill for services should verify the code(s) with the applicable payor to confirm that their use is appropriate in each case.