Thrombin-Antithrombin Complex

Single-analyte tests

• Thrombin-Antithrombin Complex 015045

  Plasma · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 9 days

  Method and collection

  Method

  TAT is measured by enzyme immunoassay using a sandwich technique. The patient sample containing TAT is incubated with antibodies against thrombin, and the unbound constituents are removed by washing. Enzyme conjugated antibodies to antithrombin are then added to the reaction, and the excess antibodies are removed by washing. The remaining (bound) enzymatic activity acts upon a chromophore and color development is proportional to the TAT in the sample.

  Preparation

  Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.

  Collection

  Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.33 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.34,35 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 unless the sample is collected using a winged (butterfly) collection system. With a winged blood collection set, a discard tube should be drawn first to account for the dead space of the tubing and prevent under-filling of the evacuated tube.36,37 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Double centrifugation is required for this test to ensure the removal of platelets that contain fibrinolysis factors.38,39 Any tube containing an alternative 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. Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.

  Reference notes

  0.0–4.2 ng/dL

  Labcorp catalog page

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Panels that include this biomarker

• Coagulation Activation Profile 117410

  3 analytes · Plasma · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 5 - 8 days

  Method and collection

  Method

  See individual tests.

  Collection

  Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.9 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.10,11 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.12,13 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 .

  Labcorp catalog page

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Single-analyte tests

• Thrombin-Antithrombin (TAT) Complex 10162

  Plasma · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Wed (a.m.); Report available: 8 days

  Method and collection

  Method

  Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

  Collection

  Platelet-poor plasma: Centrifuge light blue-top tube for 15 minutes at approximately 1500 g within 60 minutes of collection. Using a plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial. Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into a new plastic vial. Plasma must be free of platelets (<10,000/mcL). Freeze immediately and ship on dry ice. Note on requisition if patient is on oral anticoagulant therapy.

  Reference notes

  <4 mcg/L

  Quest Diagnostics catalog page

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