Plasminogen Activity

Test Code

4458

CPT Codes
85420

Preferred Specimen

1 mL platelet-poor plasma collected in a 3.2% sodium citrate (light blue-top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

Please submit a separate, frozen vial for each special coagulation assay ordered. Draw blood in a light blue-top tube containing 3.2% sodium citrate, mix gently by inverting 3-4 times. Centrifuge 15 minutes at 1500 g within one hour of collection. Using a plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial. Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into a new plastic vial(s). Freeze immediately and transport on dry ice.

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: 30 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Grossly icteric

Methodology
Chromogenic Substrate

Setup Schedule

Monday, Wednesday, Friday Evening
Report available: Next Day

Reference Range

65-176 %

Clinical Significance

Decreased plasminogen activity may be inherited or acquired. Acquired deficiencies may occur with: tranexamic acid and L-asparginase use, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), liver disease, during and after thrombolytic therapy, sepsis, and hyperthyroidism. Plasminogen activity is developmentally regulated reaching adult levels at approximately 6 months of age. As a positive acute phase reactant, increased levels are associated with infection, trauma, surgery, inflammation and malignancy.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.