One 4.5 mL light blue top tube (sodium citrate). Collect by careful venipuncture to avoid tissue fluid contamination or hemolysis. Do not use needles smaller than 23 gauge. Fill tube to maximum draw, at least 90% full. Mix by gentle inversion. Call the the Special Coagulation Department (541-687-2134 x4612) when urgent testing is needed in order to assure STAT testing.
Handling:
Refrigerate and keep capped in original tube if specimen will be received at lab within 4 hours. If not, centrifuge to produce platelet-poor plasma, transfer to a plastic vial and freeze quickly. Label with patient name, test, and ‘citrate.’ If multiple tests are ordered, freeze a separate aliquot for each test. Send to lab within one week.
Stability:
Rapid processing is recommended as this testing is often shared with other more labile studies. ATIII is stable 8 hours ambient, 48 hours refrigerated, or 7 days frozen.
Standard Volume:
5 mL whole blood, or 2 mL plasma.
Minimum Volume:
2 mL whole blood, or 1 mL plasma.
Transport:
Refrigerated in original tube if received at lab within 4 hours; citrated plasma frozen on dry ice.
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