Test Searches require one of the following browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. This page WILL NOT WORK with Internet Explorer versions 8 or older.

Alphabetical Index
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (089-0220)
Test Mnemonic:

APTT
Specimen Requirements:
Collection:

Blue-topped (3.2% sodium-citrate) tube. Routine venipuncture; discard 1st mL of blood by collecting a discard tube prior to collecting the blue-topped (3.2% sodium-citrate) tube.  For collections with butterfly blood collection sets, a discard tube should also be collected prior to collection of the blue top to ensure sufficient sample volume. Drawing a discard tube will displace the air from the blood collection set tubing to ensure proper blood draw volume. For patients on heparin therapy, the whole blood sample must be centrifuged within 1 hour of collection.

Container:

 Blue-topped (3.2% sodium-citrate) tube
Storage/Transport:

If delivery time is to be greater than 2 hours from time of draw, centrifuge the specimen for 15 minutes at 2000-2500g.  Separate the plasma from the cells and freeze at -200C. (See Stability Section for instructions)

Stability:

Acceptable Whole Blood up to 2 hours after draw, at ROOM TEMPERATURE (20 +/- 5°C).

Plasma 4 hrs at 20 +/- 5°C.  

Patients on heparin therapy -plasma is stable for 2 hrs at 20 +/- 5°C when collected in 3.2% sodium citrate (blue top).  

Plasma may be double spun and frozen at -20 °C for up to 2 weeks. Please click here for instructions on how to perform the double spin technique.  

 
Causes for Rejection:

QNS, clotted, severely hemolyzed, greater than 4 hours old, wrong tube (3.8% sodium citrate), high hematocrit (> 55%), sample identification error, processed and/or stored improperly.

Methodology:

Electromagnetic Viscosity Detection

Galveston: Optical Density
Performed:

Samples are accepted 24 hours per day at Sample Management, 7.412 CSW Bldg.
Lab:

Hematopathology
Turnaround Time:

STAT: 1 hour; ROUTINE: 4 hours
Reference Range:

23 - 38 seconds

Galveston & Clear Lake Campus Reference Range: 26 - 36 seconds
CPT 4 Code:

85730
Note:

Currently, the activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) is the laboratory test most commonly

used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy. The Heparin Therapeutic Range is developed utilizing a procedure  in which aPTT values and heparin levels are obtained from patients actually receiving heparin. A graph is prepared that correlates the aPTT in seconds to the heparin Anti-Xa units.  The ranges established, are the time in seconds equivalent to  0.3 and 0.3 to 0.7 Anti-Xa units of heparin.

Refer to:  Laboratory Monitoring of Heparin Therapy

However, prolongation of the aPTT does not necessarily indicate that the blood is effectively anticoagulated in vivo. A variety of conditions can complicate the administration and monitoring of unfractionated heparin therapy.

 or contact laboratory [409-772-3314] for further recommendations.

Critical Values: > 100 seconds 

Clinical Indication:

Useful in monitoring unfractionated heparin therapy and detecting abnormalities of the intrinsic clotting.
Effective Date: 06/27/2016
Reviewed By/Date: Zahner, Christopher J. - 09/04/2018
Approved By/Date: Zahner, Christopher J. - 08/22/2023
When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent.

« Back