Thrombin time

TCT

AZ and WD locations Performed at Sonora Quest Laboratories, Test Code 3520
BUMCT and BUMCS performed at BUMCT
Thrombin Clotting Time

2.7 mL full light blue-top (3.2% Na citrate) tube. Centrifuge without delay. Transfer only top 2/3 of plasma (plasma must be platelet free) into a plastic vial (a minimum of 1.0 mL). If other coagulation tests are ordered, freeze a minimum of two plastic vials. Freeze immediately. Place in a specimen bag with a frozen label applied.
BUMCT- 2.7 mL full light blue-top (3.2% Na citrate) tube.  Centrifuge within 1 hour of collection.  If testing is not complete within 4 hours of collection use double spin technique to remove plasma (use plastic transfer pipette to remove plasma, transfer to plastic tube, re-spin plasma, transfer to fresh plastic tube) Freeze at -20°C

For other Az facilities besides BUMCT or BUMCS, see link below for specimen details, methodology, setup schedule and reference ranges for testing performed at SQL.

frozen - use dry ice (BUMCT)

Specimen Stability:   Plasma stability (BUMCT)

·         4 hours at 2-8°C or 20°C

·         <2 weeks at <-20°C to -50°C

·         <6 months frozen at -50 to -70°C

Rejection Criteria: (BUMCT)

·         clotted specimens

·         underfilled or overfilled tube

·         collection in 3.8% Citrate

·         specimens collected in expired tubes

·         serum samples

·         specimen past stability

·         thawed frozen samples

·         Hemolyzed, Icteric and Lipemic samples

·         HCT >55%

This test is typically used for the evaluation of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), monitoring heparin anticoagulant and fibrinolytic therapy, detection of the presence of Fibrin/Fibrinogen Degradation Products (FDP), hereditary or acquired qualitative and quantitative fibrinogen abnormalities and increased fibrinolysis.