Sample Preparation
Samples must be filled to the black fill line (Vacuette tubes) or the frosted line (BD Vacutainer tubes) indicated on the sample tube. Any sample filled above or below this level will be rejected and a repeat sample will be required
General Information
This test is used to confirm the presence of Heparin in conjunction with a prolonged Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)
Test Availability:
Available at Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands and Good Hope.
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:
- Results are not affected by haemoglobin up to 500 mg/dl or bilirubin up to 24 mg/dl.
- Lipaemic samples cannot be tested with this assay.