Preferred Sample Type

Thrombin Time

Thrombin Time

Specimen Volume

3.5 mL (Vacuette tubes) or 2.7mL (BD Vacutainer tubes)

Specimen Transport

Standard transport to laboratory

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

Turnaround Time

24 hours

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

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.

Reference Range

0.8-1.2

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

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