Lab Dept:

Coagulation

Test Name:

PTT, ELEVATED, CASCADE

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

EPTT

Synonyms:

Elevated PTT Cascade

CPT Codes:

85732 – Thromboplastin time, partial (PTT); substitution, plasma fractions, each

The following testing may be added if appropriate based on findings:

PTT Mixing Studies
85732 – Thromboplastin time, partial (PTT); substitution, plasma fractions, each
Factor VIII
85240 - Clotting; factor VIII (AHG), one stage
Factor IX
85250 – Clotting; factor IX (PTC or Christmas)
Factor XI
85270 - Clotting factor XI (PTA)
Factor XII
85280 - Clotting factor XII (Hageman)
von Willebrand Screening
85240 - Clotting; factor VIII (AHG), one stage
Factor VII
85245 - Factor VIII vW Factor, Ristocetin cofactor
85246 – Factor VIII vW antigen factor Lupus Inhibitor
85730 x2– Thromboplastin time, partial (PTT)
Possible reflex testing:
85732 – Thromboplastin time partial; substitution, plasma fractions, if appropriate
85613 – Russell viper venom time (includes venom); diluted, if appropriate
85597 – Platelet neutralization, if appropriate

Test Includes:

PTT, and the following as indicated by the testing algorithm: PTTM, Factors VIII, IX, XI, XII, von Willebrand Screen, Lupus Inhibitor, or other Factor Inhibitor Assays.

Logistics

Test Indications:

Useful for the investigation of an elevated PTT value using the algorithm below to identify cause.

Lab Testing Sections:

Coagulation

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

4 hours

Special Instructions:

● Patient’s with hematocrit levels >55% must have a special tube made to adjust for the hematocrit; contact the laboratory for special tube.
● Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.
● Indicate when specimen is drawn from a line or a heparin lock.

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Whole blood

Container:

Light Blue (Buffered Na Citrate 3.2%) top tube

Draw Volume:

8.1 mL (three 2.7 Blue top tubes) (Minimum: 5.4 mL) blood

Processed Volume:

Minimum: 1.8 mL plasma

Collection:

● A clean venipuncture is essential.
● Mix thoroughly by gentle inversion.
● Deliver immediately to the laboratory. Indicate when specimen is drawn from a line or a heparin lock.
● Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.
● Refrigerate specimen if there is a delay in transport of 30 minutes or more.

Special Processing:

Lab staff: Spin sample collected in blue top tube(s) for 5 minutes on the Stat Spin centrifuge, remove plasma and transfer to a 4 ml BCS sample cup(s), spin remaining plasma again for 5 minutes in the Stat Spin Centrifuge. Transfer plasma to new BCS sample cup(s) for analysis (as specifically stated in each procedure) leaving approximately 200 uL in the bottom of the original cup to discard. Frozen aliquots allow for additional testing as needed.

Test within:
● Two (2) hours when stored 22 to 26°C.
● Four (4) hours when stored 2 to 4°C.
● Two (2) weeks when stored -20°C.
● Six (6) months when stored -70°C (rapidly frozen).
● Plasma must be frozen if testing cannot be completed within four (4) hours.
● Frozen plasmas are thawed at 37°C for three (3) minutes, test immediately. Once frozen samples have been thawed and tested they cannot be re-frozen.

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Improper tube; clotted sample; underfilled tube; specimen more than 2 hours old; mislabeled or unlabeled specimens

Interpretive

Reference Range:

See individual assays

Critical Values:

See individual assays

Limitations:

Correction reactions may be difficult to interpret if the patient’s PTT is only modestly prolonged. Samples drawn through a line or heparin lock will not correct giving the impression of an inhibitor.

Methodology:

See individual assays

Contraindications:

Current anticoagulant therapy

References:

Harmening DH (1997) Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis

Updates:

12/15/2010: Processing information updated.