Click here for more information about laboratory operations and procedures
Heparin Level (Low Molecular Weight Heparin)
| Item | Value | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | Approval required if results needed on evenings or weekends. If medically necessary, contact Hematology at x3-1747 | ||||||||||||
| Available Stat? | No | ||||||||||||
| Test code | HEP | ||||||||||||
| Test group | Heparin | ||||||||||||
| Performed by | Parnassus Hematology | ||||||||||||
| In House Availability | Test run Monday-Friday | ||||||||||||
| Method | Chromogenic Synthetic Substrate | ||||||||||||
| Collection Instructions | Time to steady state: 3 doses in adults and 1 dose for pediatric patients. Collect 4 hours after 4th dose (adults) and 4 hours after 1st dose (pediatrics) 1. Check the expiration date on the label of the blue top vacutainer before drawing the patient. 2. For blood collection in a sodium citrate blue top, the tube must be filled to above the Minimum Fill Indicator on the tube. It is crucial to wait and allow the tube to stop filling before removing it from the needle. 3. With use of a butterfly needle, draw about 1 cc using a separate blue top to remove air from tubing, discard the first tube and then draw a second blue top tube filled to the full extent of the vacuum. 4. Tubes should not be filled past the Maximum Fill dashed line by either using a syringe or removing the tube cap. Indicate exact brand and type of heparin or heparinoid being used on requisition. For patients with Hct's ≥ 55% please contact Hematology (x3-1747) to obtain blue top tubes with adjusted citrate volumes in order to maintain the proper citrate to plasma ratio for coagulation studies. |
||||||||||||
| Container type | Blue top filled to full extent of vacuum | ||||||||||||
| Amount to Collect | 2.7 mL blood | ||||||||||||
| Sample type | Citrated Plasma | ||||||||||||
| Preferred volume | 1 mL plasma | ||||||||||||
| Min. Volume | 0.5 mL plasma | ||||||||||||
| UCSF Rejection Criteria | Samples collected in outdated blue top vacutainer. Over-filled or under-filled tubes may be rejected | ||||||||||||
| Processing notes | Deliver specimen to Hematology lab ASAP for processing. Separate plasma at 5000 rpm for 8 min. Make two separate 1 mL aliquots in plastic tubes and freeze at -20C. |
||||||||||||
| Units | anti-Xa U/mL | ||||||||||||
| Normal range | Therapeutic (4 hours post dose): Enoxaparin:
Dalteparin:
Tinzaparin:
These are general guidelines only. Detailed recommendations for heparin therapy and monitoring are available through the UCSF Comprehensive Hemostasis and Antithrombotic Service (CHAS), which can be contacted at pager 443-4023. |
||||||||||||
| Critical value |
|
||||||||||||
| Synonyms | Monitoring Anticoagulation; Low Molecular Weight Heparin; LMW Heparin; LMWH; Enoxaparin; Tinzaparin; Dalteparin; Danaporoid; Factor 10a; Anti factor Xa; Factor 10a | ||||||||||||
| Turn around times | 1-3 days | ||||||||||||
| Additional information | The utility of measuring LMW heparin levels is limited to a few clinical settings. Common indications for monitoring patients receiving LMW heparin include renal insufficiency, clinical obesity, weight < 50 kg or pregnancy. The appropriate therapeutic range will vary with the specific medication, the disease, and the treatment intensity desired. Recommendations for heparin therapy and monitoring are available through the UCSF Hematology Consultation service, which can be contacted at pager 443-4276. Click here for A guide on Drug Level Monitoring |
||||||||||||
| LOINC code | 3271-4 | ||||||||||||
| Last Updated | 1/23/2013 3:54:40 PM | ||||||||||||
| Entry Number | 471 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667