One 4.5 mL light blue top tube (sodium citrate). Collect by careful venipuncture to avoid tissue contamination or hemolysis. Do not use needles smaller than 23 gauge. Fill tube to maximum draw, at least 90% full. Mix by gentle inversion. When urgent, call the Special Coagulation Department to assure STAT testing at 541.341.8010 x4612.
Handling:
Due to short stability, specimen must either be sent STAT to arrive in laboratory within 4 hours or sent frozen. If STAT, refrigerate and keep capped in original tube. Call for STAT pick-up. For standard delivery, centrifuge to produce platelet-poor plasma and with a plastic pipette, transfer to a plastic tube. Label with patient name, I.D. number, test, and “citrated plasma.” Freeze immediately. Send to lab within 7 days. If multiple tests are ordered, freeze a separate aliquot for this test.
Stability:
4 hours ambient or refrigerated, or 7 days frozen.
Standard Volume:
5 mL whole blood or 2 mL plasma.
Minimum Volume:
2 mL whole blood or 0.5 mL plasma.
Transport:
Refrigerated specimen in original unopened tube if STAT, or plasma frozen on dry ice.
Comments:
This test is not affected by coumadin or heparin, or by factor deficiencies. Abnormal results identify patients with APC resistance due to Factor V Leiden gene defect.
Rejection Criteria:
Visible fibrin; moderate to marked hemolysis; specimen received in laboratory beyond stated stability.
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