Synonyms
- Heparin Assay
Special Instructions
If the patient's hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer to Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions. Heparin anti-Xa levels should be drawn six hours after initiation of unfractionated heparin therapy or change in dose, whereas, with low molecular weight heparin, levels should be drawn six hours after administration when given once daily and three to four hours when administered twice daily. Fondaparinux levels should be measured three hours postadministration. Therapeutic monitoring of fondaparinux should be performed using Fondaparinux Anti-Xa [500465].
Expected Turnaround Time
1 - 3 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Information
Related Documents
For more information, please view the literature below.
Procedures for Hemostasis and Thrombosis: A Clinical Test Compendium
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Plasma, frozen
Volume
1 mL
Container
Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube
Collection
Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples, except when using a winged blood collection device (ie, "butterfly"), in which case a discard tube should be used.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge and carefully remove the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Transfer the plasma into a Labcorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (Labcorp No. 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.
Storage Instructions
Freeze.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis; clotted specimen; frozen specimen thawed in transit; improper labeling
Test Details
Use
Determine the plasma level of unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
Methodology
The heparin anti-Xa assay is based on the ability of heparin to inhibit the activity of activated factor X (Xa) in the reagent. The reagent includes excess antithrombin, making the heparin in the sample the rate-limiting reagent for Xa inhibition. Heparin in the patient sample inhibits the enzymatic conversion of a Xa-specific chromogenic substrate to colored product by factor Xa. Standard curves are created using multiple concentrations of UFH and LMWH and are used to calculate concentration in the patient plasma.
Reference Interval
Reference intervals indicate therapeutic levels. 11 Target Ranges for Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) | ||
|---|---|---|
Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) | <0.30-0.70 IU/mL (UFH sample obtained 6 hours after initiation or dose adjustment) | |
Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWH) | (LMWH sample obtained 4 hours following subcutaneous injection) | |
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) | 0.60-1.00 IU/mL for twice daily dosing; >1.00 IU/mL for once daily dosing | |
Nadroparin (Fraxiparine) | 0.60-1.00 IU/mL for twice daily dosing; 1.30 IU/mL for once daily dosing | |
Tinzaparin (Innohep) | 0.85 IU/mL for once daily dosing | |
Dalteparin (Fragmin) | 1.05 IU/mL for once daily dosing | |
Additional Information
UFH and LMWH are anticoagulants commonly used to decrease the risk of venous or arterial thrombosis.6-9 Overdosing with these medications can increase the risk of hemorrhage and inadequate dosing decreases the efficacy of anticoagulation. These drugs work as anticoagulants by enhancing the ability of plasma antithrombin to bind and inactivate the serine proteases XIIa, XIa, IXa, Xa, and thrombin. Therapeutic monitoring is commonly performed because of the wide interindividual variation in response to this therapy.
Historically, many laboratories have monitored heparin levels using the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test. A large number of conditions can complicate the use of the aPTT in monitoring UFH therapy.6 The College of American Pathologists (CAP) divided these factors into three groups.6 The first group of complicating factors encompasses those that affect the bioavailability of heparin. Aging, obesity, changes in heparin binding proteins, hepatic disease, renal disease, and heparin resistance fall under this heading. The second group of complicating factors includes those that alter the aPTT dose response to heparin. Increased factor VIII or fibrinogen levels, decreased antithrombin levels, or a mild reduction in multiple factors (as might be seen in the early stages of a consumptive coagulopathy or in oral anticoagulant therapy) are examples of this type of complicating factor. Lastly, those factors that tend to cause a prolonged aPTT in the absence of heparin therapy should be considered. Lupus anticoagulants or deficiency in contact factors can produce an extended baseline aPTT. In all of these cases, the heparin anti-Xa assay may be more appropriate for monitoring heparin therapy.
The aPTT should not be used for therapeutic monitoring of low molecular weight heparin because this drug typically does not affect the aPTT significantly.6,7
Footnotes
1. Adcock DM, Kressin DC, Marlar RA. Effect of 3.2% vs 3.8% sodium citrate concentration on routine coagulation testing. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jan;107(1):105-110.8980376
2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, Ng VL, Gottfried EL. Prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time due to underfilled specimen tubes with 109 mmol/L (3.2%) citrate anticoagulant. Am J Clin Pathol. 1998 Jun;109(6):754-757.9620035
3. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standardization. Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing and General Performance of Coagulation Assays; Approved Guideline. 5th ed. Villanova, Pa: NCCLS; 2008. Document H21-A5:28(5).
4. Gottfried EL, Adachi MM. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time can be performed on the first tube. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jun;107(6):681-683.9169665
5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, Norris WL, Doe RH, Ray H. Drawing specimens for coagulation testing: Is a second tube necessary? Clin Lab Sci. 1999 May-Jun;12(3):137-139.10539100
6. Olson JD, Arkin CF, Brandt JT, et al. College of American Pathologists Conference XXXI on laboratory monitoring of anticoagulant therapy: Laboratory monitoring of unfractionated heparin therapy. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1998 Sep;122(9):782-798.9740136
7. Hirsh J, Anand SS, Halperin JL, Fuster V, American Heart Association. Guide to anticoagulant therapy: Heparin: A statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2001 Jun 19;103(24):2994-3018.11413093
8. Hirsh J, Warkentin TE, Shaughnessy SG, et al. Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin: Mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing, monitoring, efficacy, and safety. Chest. 2001 Jan;119(1 Suppl):64S-94S.11157643
9. Francis CW, Berkowitz SD. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic agents. In: Kitchens CS, Alving BM, Kessler CM, eds. Consultative Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 2002:375-391.
10. http://www.practical‐haemostasis.com/Miscellaneous/Miscellaneous%20Tests/anti_xa_assays.html. Accessed on 05/08/2017
11. Garcia DA, Baglin TP, Weitz JI, Samama MM. Parenteral anticoagulants: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e24S-e43S.22315264
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117101 | Heparin Anti-Xa | 3274-8 | 117102 | Heparin Anti-Xa | IU/mL | 3274-8 |
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