Haematology

Preferred Sample Type

Anti-Xa Assay

Anti-Xa Assay

Specimen Volume

3.5 mL

Specimen Transport

Standard transport to laboratory - State for the attention of Special Coagulation on request form

Sample Preparation

Samples for any coagulation tests must be filled to the black fill line indicated on the sample tube. Any sample filled above or below this level will be rejected and a repeat sample will be required

Turnaround Time

7 days

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Sample should be centrifuged

Sample Stability

12 hours from venepuncture (ideally received no later than 4 hours after collection)

General Information

Note: For external requests please click Here for Coagulation Disorders request form. Please complete all information fully 

Samples that meet the following criteria will not be processed:

  • Haemolysed, clotted, underfilled or overfilled samples.
  • Samples >12 hours old from the time of collection.
  • Samples received from other hospital laboratories that have been frozen and thawed.
  • Samples which fail the minimum data set.

Assay Limitations:

  • For accurate results samples should be collected 3-4 hours post dose, when the concentration in the blood is expected to be at peak level.
  • Random and trough anti-Xa tests may also be requested when there are concerns that the anticoagulant may be accumulating e.g. in renal failure.
  • If heparin is being given by continuous venous infusion, samples can be taken at any time but they must be taken from the other arm.

Notes

Please state anticoagulant on request form e.g. Apixaban, Fondaparinux, Rivaroxaban, LMWH, UFH. Samples must be collected 4 hours post dose. 

LMWH: Samples should be taken 4 hours after subcutaneous injection, once steady state has been achieved after administration of at least three doses.

Reference Range

Anti-Xa (LMWH) Prophylactic Reference Range 0.1 - 0.3 IU/ml

Anti-Xa (LMWH) therapeutic Range 0.5 - 1.0 IU/ml

Anti-Xa (LMWH) therapeutic range for mechanical heart valve during pregnancy 1.0 - 1.4 IU/ml

Note for all other Anti-Xa anticoagulants the reference range is dose dependant. Please contact a haematology medic for advice.

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS / ECAT
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Tuesday, 03 December 2024

General Information

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962