Thrombin Time

General Information

Lab Name

Thrombin Time

Lab Code

Epic Ordering

Thrombin Time

Description

Thrombin Time measures the time it takes to convert fibrinogen to fibrin clot in the presence of known amount of (human) thrombin.

Synonyms

Components

Code	Name
TTPAT	Thrombin Time

Method: Clot based, Stago STA clotting assay
Reference Range: See individual components
Interferences and Limitations: Thrombin Time is prolonged if an anticoagulant (e.g. heparin, LMW heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors) that inhibits thrombin is present or if fibrinogen levels are low.

Patients on hirudin (Refludan), argatroban (Novastatan), Dabigatran (Pradaxa) or bivalirudin (Angiomax) may show prolongation of thrombin time due to direct thrombin inhibition.

Specimen Type: Blood
Collection: 3 or 5 mL BLUE TOP (CITRATE) tube
Handling Instructions: UW-MT/HMC: Specimen must be processed within 6 hours of blood collection.

UW-NW: Laboratory MUST process the specimen within 8 hours of blood collection.

FHCC: All specimens will be routed to UW-MT for testing.

Note: Avoid testing samples that may have been contaminated by heparin (drawn from heparinized lines, heparin in collection tubes, syringes, etc).
Quantity: requested: Entire specimen

Processing: Take specimen to COAG

Outside Laboratory: Centrifuge for 10 minutes, remove plasma & re-spin plasma for another 10 minutes. Decant & freeze plasma (minimum 1.0 mL) @ -20°C to -80°C. Send Frozen on dry ice.

LIS Dept Code

Coagulation (COAG)

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Coagulation 206-520-4600 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-NW	Main Lab 206-668-1344 UW Medical Center – Northwest 1550 N 115th Street, A200 Seattle, WA 98133
UW-MT	Coagulation 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room NW220, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Frequency

Daily

Available STAT?

Yes