| 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 # |
Antithrombin III Activity, Plasma
Test CodeATIII - NCMC
CPT Codes
85300
Preferred Specimen
1 mL plasma from Blue Top (Na Citrate)
Minimum Volume
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 4 hours, spin down, remove plasma, and spin plasma again, and send specimen frozen in plastic vial.
Specimen Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
| Whole blood Na Cit on heparin | Ambient | 1 hour |
| Whole blood Na Cit (unopen/unspun) | Ambient | 4 hours |
| Plasma Na Cit (open/spun) | Ambient | 4 hours |
| Plasma Na Cit double spun and separated | Frozen -20 C | 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- Drawn in outdated/expired tube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
Methodology
Chromogenic
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
80-120%
Performing Laboratory
North Colorado Medical Center Laboratory
