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PROTEIN C ACTIVITY, PLASMA
MessageA hematocrit value >55% may lead to spurious coagulation results.
Test Code
LAB3041211
Preferred Specimen
One 3 mL blue top tube
Pediatric: One 1.8mL pediatric blue top tube
Pediatric: One 1.8mL pediatric blue top tube
Minimum Volume
Required for Testing: 1 mL plasma
Instructions
Tube must be filled to the etched line. Immediately after drawing gently invert the specimen 3 to 4 times. Do not shake.
Samples must be centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes or using a high-speed centrifuge. Platelet poor plasma should be separated into 1 ml aliquots. Samples should be frozen within one hour (best practice), however samples stable for 4 hours. Samples must remain frozen during transport. Any samples that are received thawed are not suitable for testing.
Samples must be centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes or using a high-speed centrifuge. Platelet poor plasma should be separated into 1 ml aliquots. Samples should be frozen within one hour (best practice), however samples stable for 4 hours. Samples must remain frozen during transport. Any samples that are received thawed are not suitable for testing.
Transport Temperature
Frozen ( two 1 mL plasma aliquots)
Specimen Stability
Ambient: 4 hours if cap has not been removed or punctured
Frozen: 6 months (-70C)
Frozen: 6 months (-70C)
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Clotted specimen, improperly filled tube, gross hemolysis.
Methodology
Amidolysis of chromogenic substrate on ACL TOP
Setup Schedule
Tuesday and Thursday
Clinical Significance
Patients should be off oral anticoagulation therapy (Coumadin) for two weeks to accurately measure protein C levels.
Performing Laboratory
West Virginia University Hospital, Inc.
