| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
PROCALCITONIN
MessageThis test is cleared for INITIAL risk assessment in patients with suspected sepsis, septic shock, or severe localized infection. There
are no published consensus/evidence based guidelines for other uses of this test.
Please see the link under Additional Information for the Test Change Notification.
are no published consensus/evidence based guidelines for other uses of this test.
Please see the link under Additional Information for the Test Change Notification.
Test Code
LAB3041196
CPT Codes
84145
Preferred Specimen
One of the following acceptable tube types
Light green top
Red top tube
Gold top tube
Pediatric; Two light green microtainers, (red, gold, dark green microtainers are also acceptable)
Light green top
Red top tube
Gold top tube
Pediatric; Two light green microtainers, (red, gold, dark green microtainers are also acceptable)
Minimum Volume
1.0 mL serum
Instructions
Sample must be centrifuged within one hour of collection. Seperate serum from cells and aliquot 1.0 mL serum.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Ambient: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: 15 days
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: 15 days
Methodology
CMIA, Chemiluminescent microparticle Assay
Setup Schedule
Sunday - Saturday
Reference Range
Diagnosis of systemic bacterial infection/sepsis:
<0.5 ng/mL - Low risk
0.5-2.0 ng/mL - Indeterminate risk, clinical correlation required. Repeat testing for trends may be warranted.
>2.0 ng/mL - High risk
Diagnosis of bacterial lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI):
<0.25 ng/mL - Low risk
0.25-0.5 ng/mL - Indeterminate risk, clinical correlation required. Repeat testing for trends may be warranted.
>0.5 ng/mL - High risk
Procalcitonin results must be interpreted in the context of patient€™s clinical status. Follow-up testing to assess value trends should be considered for patients with unstable clinical course and/or for re-evaluation of patient management.
Trauma, non-infectious systemic inflammation, active autoimmunity, and recent surgery can cause elevated PCT results. Newborns can also have elevated PCT results during the first 72 hours of life.
<0.5 ng/mL - Low risk
0.5-2.0 ng/mL - Indeterminate risk, clinical correlation required. Repeat testing for trends may be warranted.
>2.0 ng/mL - High risk
Diagnosis of bacterial lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI):
<0.25 ng/mL - Low risk
0.25-0.5 ng/mL - Indeterminate risk, clinical correlation required. Repeat testing for trends may be warranted.
>0.5 ng/mL - High risk
Procalcitonin results must be interpreted in the context of patient€™s clinical status. Follow-up testing to assess value trends should be considered for patients with unstable clinical course and/or for re-evaluation of patient management.
Trauma, non-infectious systemic inflammation, active autoimmunity, and recent surgery can cause elevated PCT results. Newborns can also have elevated PCT results during the first 72 hours of life.
Clinical Significance
Interpretive Information
• This assay is subject to “hook effect” at results >2,500 ng/mL. If results are lower than expected for the clinical presentation (ie, <10 ng/mL for presentations consistent with sepsis or septic shock), please contact the laboratory within 24 hours and request a dilution/result confirmation. Very high (>10,000 ng/mL) PCT results have been reported for severe cases.
• Repeat PCT testing is indicated in 6 to 24 hours if clinical suspicion for sepsis is high but initial PCT result is not or only moderately elevated (ie, >0.5 but <2.0 ng/mL). A repeated value that is increased may suggest sepsis evolution. A repeated value that is lower or unchanged suggests a noninfectious etiology.
• Physiologic halfâlife of PCT is approximately 24 hours. Renal failure could elevate PCT results due to decreased clearance.
• WVUH Guidelines for utilizing PCT in lower respiratory infections are available online.
• This assay is subject to “hook effect” at results >2,500 ng/mL. If results are lower than expected for the clinical presentation (ie, <10 ng/mL for presentations consistent with sepsis or septic shock), please contact the laboratory within 24 hours and request a dilution/result confirmation. Very high (>10,000 ng/mL) PCT results have been reported for severe cases.
• Repeat PCT testing is indicated in 6 to 24 hours if clinical suspicion for sepsis is high but initial PCT result is not or only moderately elevated (ie, >0.5 but <2.0 ng/mL). A repeated value that is increased may suggest sepsis evolution. A repeated value that is lower or unchanged suggests a noninfectious etiology.
• Physiologic halfâlife of PCT is approximately 24 hours. Renal failure could elevate PCT results due to decreased clearance.
• WVUH Guidelines for utilizing PCT in lower respiratory infections are available online.
Performing Laboratory
West Virginia University Hospital, Inc.
Berkeley Medical Center Barnesville Hospital Braxton County Memorial Camden Clark Medical Center Fairmont Medical Center Garrett Regional Medical Center Jackson General Hospital Jefferson Medical Center Potomac Valley Hospital Reynolds Memorial Hospital Summersville Regional Medical Center St. Joseph’s Hospital United Hospital Center Uniontown Hospital Wheeling Hospital
Additional Information
Test Change Notification
