Heparin level - Allina Health Laboratory

Heparin level

Alphabetical Test listing

Heparin level-2283

Test name:

Heparin level

Test number:

2283

Excellian order number:

85520.2

Abbreviation:

HEP

Alternate names:

Anti-Xa
Unfractionated heparin
HEP

Useful for:

Monitoring unfractionated Heparin

Specimen type:

Sodium citrate (Na cit) plasma

Collection container:

Lt blue Sodium citrate (Na Cit) - 2.7mL

If the patient has a hematocrit >55, a specially prepared Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit) tube must be used in place of the standard Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit) tube.

Hematocrit-Anticoagulant adjustments

Volume:

1.5 mL

Minimum volume:

0.6 mL

Collection instructions:

Do not over or under fill tube as the ratio of anticoagulant to whole blood is critical

Coag – tube fill guideline

Infusion: collect specimen 8 hours post start or adjustment
SubQ: collect specimen 4 hours post dose
Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gentle inverting 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting

Processing instructions:

Samples should be centrifuged within 1 hour of collection and tested no longer than two (2) hours from collection at room temperature.

If testing cannot be completed within 2 hours of collection:

Process Platelet Poor Plasma (P.P.P)
- Coag – how to prepare a specimen for special coagulation testing
Transfer plasma into an aliquot tube using a spot label "NaCit Plasma P.P.P" to label as platelet poor plasma
Freeze immediately

Transport container:

Microcentrifuge vial/tube in a Snap cap conical vial/tube and cap (Beaker sites)

Coagulation specimen transport vial/tube (all other sites)

Transport and stability:

Routine:

Frozen (strict) - 2 weeks

Refrigerated - NO

STAT:

Ambient

Whole blood, unopened - 1 hr
Centrifuged plasma on the cells - 2 hours

Reason for rejection:

Improper labeling (unlabeled or mislabeled)
Improper anticoagulant
Improperly filled tube
Hemolysis
Clotted specimen
Delay in transport
Improper storage/transport temperature
Patient on heparin > 1.0 IU/mL

Performing lab:

AHL - Coagulation: W
Available at the Central Laboratory and Mercy and United hospitals.

Days set up:

Daily

TAT:

1 day

Method:

Chromogenic Assay Anti-Xa

Reference ranges:

UFH IV Infusion Therapeutic VTE:	0.3-0.7 U/mL
UFH IV Infusion Therapeutic AF/Valve Bridging:	0.3-0.5 U/mL
UFH IV Infusion Therapeutic ACS:	0.3-0.5 U/mL
UFH IV Infusion Therapeutic High Bleeding Risk:	0.3-0.5 U/mL
UFH IV Infusion Prophylactic:	0.11-0.29 U/mL
UFH SubQ Therapeutic:	0.56-0.68 U/mL
UFH SubQ Prophylactic:	0.15-0.25 U/mL

CPT codes:

85520

Date created:

11/30/2001

Revised date:

11/07/2023

Review date:

01/12/2024