Specimen Type/Requirements

Blue top (Sodium Citrate) tube - Double Spun Platelet Poor Plasma

See Coagulation Testing and Platelet Poor Plasma Preparation

This test requires its own separate frozen aliquot.  The aliquot tube must be from an appropriately filled 3.2% Sodium Citrate tube to acquire the 9:1 blood to anticoagulant ratio that is critical for valid results.

Platelet poor plasma should be frozen within 2 hours of collection.  Double spun (platelet poor plasma) is critical for accurate results.

Patient must not be receiving Heparin or Coumadin Therapy.

Test is affected by moderate hemolysis.  Test is not affected by lipemia.