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Lupus Anticoagulant With Reflex

Test Number 117892
Test number copied
CPT 85613; 85732. If reflex testing is performed, concomitant CPT codes/charges will apply.
Synonyms
  • Lupus Anticoagulant
  • Lupus Anticoagulant Screen

Test Details

Methodology

PTT-LA (lupus-sensitive aPTT) and dRVVT screen; mixing study if screening tests are prolonged; confirmation if the mixing studies do not correct

Result Turnaround Time

2 - 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

Use

This test is used for qualitative detection of lupus anticoagulants in plasma.6

Custom Additional Information

Lupus anticoagulants are nonspecific antibodies that extend the clotting time of phospholipid-dependent clotting assays such as the aPTT.6,7 Unlike specific factor antibodies, LA are usually associated with venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thrombosis, and recurrent fetal loss.8 LA do not specifically inhibit individual coagulation factors; rather they neutralize anionic phospholipid-protein complexes that are involved in the coagulation process. Prolongation of clot-based assays is highly dependent on the sensitivity of the reagent employed. Reagents with reduced amounts of phospholipid, such as the aPTT-LA and dilute Russell viper venom time (dRVVT), have enhanced sensitivity for LA.6 Due to the heterogeneity of LA antibodies, no single assay will identify all cases.8 The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) has established criteria for the diagnosis of lupus anticoagulants.6-8 Testing for lupus anticoagulant (LA) and the antiphospholipid syndrome that is associated with these antibodies is described in more detail in the online Coagulation Appendices: Lupus Anticoagulants and Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Plasma, frozen

Volume

2 mL

Minimum Volume

1 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Container

Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube

Collection Instructions

Citrated plasma samples should be collected by double centrifugation. 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.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 for 10 minutes and carefully remove 2/3 of the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Deliver to a plastic transport tube, cap, and recentrifuge for 10 minutes. Use a second plastic pipette to remove the plasma, staying clear of the platelets at the bottom of the tube. Transfer the plasma into a Labcorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (Labcorp No. 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested.

Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Frozen

28 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3

Storage Instructions

Freeze.

Patient Preparation

Ideally, the patient should not be on anticoagulant therapy. Avoid warfarin (Coumadin®) therapy for two weeks prior to the test and heparin, direct Xa, and thrombin inhibitor therapies for about three days prior to testing.

Causes for Rejection

Severe hemolysis; improper labeling; clotted specimen; specimen diluted with IV fluids; samples thawed in transit; improper sample type; sample out of stability

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; 107(1):105-110. 8980376
2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, et al. 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; 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; 107(6):681-683.9169665
5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, et al. Drawing specimens for coagulation testing: Is a second tube necessary? Clin Lab Sci. 1999; 12(3):137-139. 10539100
6. Brandt JT, Triplett DA, Alving B, Scharrer I. Criteria for the diagnosis of lupus anticoagulants: an update. On behalf of the Subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid Antibody of the Scientific and Standardisation Committee of the ISTH. Thromb Haemost. 1995 Oct; 74(4):1185-1190. 8560433
7. Alving BM. The antiphospholipid syndrome: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and patient Management. In: Kitchens CS, Alving BM, Kessler CM, eds. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 2002: 181-196.
8. Levine JS, Branch DW, Rauch J. The antiphospholipid syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346(10):752-763. 11882732

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
117892 Lupus Anticoagulant Reflex 75515-7 117003 PTT-LA sec 34571-0
117892 Lupus Anticoagulant Reflex 75515-7 117891 dRVVT sec 6303-2
117892 Lupus Anticoagulant Reflex 75515-7 117893 Lupus Reflex Interpretation 75514-0
Order Code117892
Order Code NameLupus Anticoagulant Reflex
Order Loinc75515-7
Result Code117003
Result Code NamePTT-LA
UofMsec
Result LOINC34571-0
Order Code117892
Order Code NameLupus Anticoagulant Reflex
Order Loinc75515-7
Result Code117891
Result Code NamedRVVT
UofMsec
Result LOINC6303-2
Order Code117892
Order Code NameLupus Anticoagulant Reflex
Order Loinc75515-7
Result Code117893
Result Code NameLupus Reflex Interpretation
UofM
Result LOINC75514-0
Reflex Table for PTT-LA
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 117040 PTT-LA Mix 117005 PTT-LA Mix sec 75510-8
Reflex 1
Order Code117040
Order NamePTT-LA Mix
Result Code117005
Result NamePTT-LA Mix
UofMsec
Result LOINC75510-8
Reflex Table for PTT-LA
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 117040 PTT-LA Mix 117005 PTT-LA Mix sec 75510-8
Reflex 1
Order Code117040
Order NamePTT-LA Mix
Result Code117005
Result NamePTT-LA Mix
UofMsec
Result LOINC75510-8
Reflex Table for dRVVT
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 117912 dRVVT Mix 117894 dRVVT Mix sec 75513-2
Reflex 1
Order Code117912
Order NamedRVVT Mix
Result Code117894
Result NamedRVVT Mix
UofMsec
Result LOINC75513-2