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 # |
Heparin, Low Molecular Weight, Anti Factor Xa
MessageSee specimen stability for guidance when drawing specimens at a location other than McKee Medical Center, North Colorado Medical Center, or Banner Fort Collins Medical Center. STAT courier must be called for transport to the performing laboratory when stability is less than 24 hours.
Test Code
LMWH - NCMC
CPT Codes
85520
Preferred Specimen
Full blue top tube or 1.0 mL plasma frozen
Instructions
- It is imperative that the tube be completely filled to frosted line. The ratio of blood to anticoagulant is critical for valid coagulation results. If obtaining blood with a syringe, fill the light blue-top (sodium citrate) tube first.
- If patient is on heparin, specimen must be centrifuged and separated within 1 hour of draw.
- Heparin contaminated tube is not acceptable.
- Keep specimen anaerobic.
- Patients with an extremely high hematocrit may require special tubes before obtaining blood for coagulation testing. Please contact the lab for further information.
- If testing will not be completed within 1 hours, spin down, remove plasma, and spin plasma again, and send specimen frozen in plastic vial.
Specimen Stability
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
NaCit – Full Tube | Ambient | 4 hours |
NaCit – Full Tube | Refrigerated | 4 hours |
NaCit Plasma | Frozen | 2 weeks |
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
- Clotted
- Serum received instead of Sodium Citrate plasma
- Specimen past stability
- Frozen plasma received thawed
- Underfilled or Overfilled, blood/anticoagulant ratio must be 9/1; Specimens must be between 90% -110% full
- Collected in a 3.8% Sodium Citrate tube instead of 3.2% Sodium Citrate tube
- Drawn in outdated/expired tube
- Hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic sample
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Report Available
Same Day
Reference Range
Therapeutic range for low molecular weight heparin varies with the brand and manufacturer, but is typically between 0.6-1.00 IU/mL.
Critical value (automatic call-back): >1.5 IU/mL
Note: Major institutions have shown that the most common reason for a sub therapeutic level is specimen not drawn at the proper time (4 hours post injection).
Critical value (automatic call-back): >1.5 IU/mL
Note: Major institutions have shown that the most common reason for a sub therapeutic level is specimen not drawn at the proper time (4 hours post injection).
Clinical Significance
Note: Occasions in which periodic monitoring of LMWH might be considered include renal failure, pregnancy (increased dosage requirement in the third trimester), pediatric patients (increased dosage requirement in newborns), obesity, underweight patients, prolonged use, or patients at high risk for bleeding or thrombosis
Performing Laboratory
North Colorado Medical Center Laboratory