Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)

Synonyms

• APTT
• LAB325
• PTT

Cerner Name

A Partial Thromboplastin Time

Clinical Info

Specimen Sources

Specimen Types

Container

Blue Top Tube

Collection Instructions

Container/Tube:  Light blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube
Specimen:  Full tube
Transport Temperature:  Refrigerate
Collection Instructions:  1. If no other tube is drawn, draw a discard tube.
2. Fill tube completely.
3. Mix by gently inverting several times.
Collection Instructions:If the light blue top tube is the only tube to be drawn and will be collected using a  
butterfly set, a “discard” tube (either a plain[non-additive] or light blue)  must be partially drawn just to completely 
fill the collection tubing with blood before collecting the light blue top for testing.  Failure to perform this step 
will result in an under-filled tube that the laboratory will reject. Allow blood to fill the tube completely to the line on the tube. 
 The ratio of blood to  anticoagulant is critical in coagulation testing and at least a 90% fill is required. Immediately mix
the specimen by gently inverting the tube 4-6 times to completely mix with the anticoagulant.  
Failure to perform this can result in a clotted sample, which is unacceptable for testing.
 

Specimen Volume

Full tube

Transport Instructions

Refrigerate

Specimen Stability

Preferred 4 Hours               Acceptable: 24 hrs Refrigerated

Methodology

Clotting-ACL® TOP/IL

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday, continuously

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

85730

PDM

Only Orderable at Locations:

Results

Result Interpretation

26.1 - 36.8  Seconds

 
Recommended therapeutic heparin range (full dose) for APTT is 64-98 seconds.
Recommended therapeutic argatroban range is 1.5 to 3.0 times the baseline APTT value, not to exceed 100 seconds.
Recommended therapeutic refludan range is 1.5 to 2.5 times the baseline APTT.                      

Forms