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General Information:

 

Top 3 Reference Laboratory Test Catalogs for Miscellaneous Lab Test Orders:

 

Specimen Collection Information:

 

Critical Values:

System-Wide MaineHealth Laboratory Critical Values

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Test Code LMWH LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HEPARIN LEVEL

Additional Codes

Software                                    Test Code                                      
Label Text LMWH
EPIC LAB20208

Performing Laboratory

NorDx Laboratories

Useful For

Measuring heparin concentration in plasma

Method Name

Automated Colorimetric

Reference Values

Therapeutic range:

Twice daily dosing: 0.5-1.0 IU/mL (drawn 4 hours after dosing).

Once daily dosing: weak evidence suggests a therapeutic range of 1.0-1.5

IU/mL (drawn 4 hours after dosing).

Days and Times Test Performed

Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-3:00 pm

Specimens received outside this time frame will be processed the following day.

Report Available

1 Day

Specimen Type

Plasma

Preferred Container

Light Blue Top Tube (Sodium Citrate) – Tube must be full at time of collection.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Collect specimen as follows:

1. Draw blood in light blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube(s). Tube(s) must be full upon collection.

2. Separate plasma from cells as soon as possible within 4 hours of collection in a centrifuge at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes or 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes.

3. Using a plastic transfer pipette (do not use a glass pipette) decant the plasma to a screw-capped, plastic (polypropylene) vial. Glass vials will not be accepted.

4. Spin the plasma again at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes or 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Note: Double spinning the specimen ensures platelet poor plasma (<10,000 uL)

5. Divide the plasma into as many 0.5-1.0 mL aliquots as possible and cap the vial(s) tightly.

6. Place tubes upright and flash freeze specimen(s) immediately at ≤ – 20° C or below.

7. Send specimen(s) FROZEN on dry ice.

Click here to view the Procedure for Collecting a Specimen from an A-line

NOTE: TYPE OF HEPARIN USED IS REQUIRED ON REQUEST FORM FOR PROCESSING (i.e., unfractionated, Lovenox, Fragmin, or Tinzaparin)

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type: Plasma

Room Temp: 4 Hours

Note: Whole blood that remains capped and unspun is stable for up to 4 hours when stored at room temperature (18 – 24°C). Frozen plasma is stable 2 weeks @ -20°C and 12 months @ -70°C. Blue top tubes for coag assays must not be refrigerated or placed on ice.

Add On Capable

Not Permitted

Advance Beneficiary Notice Requirements

No ABN Required

CPT Code Information

CPT Code

CPT Description

CPT Disclaimer
85520 Heparin Assay  

Performing Laboratory Location

NorDx Laboratories

Rejection Information

Underfilled (<90 %), clotted, high hematocrit (>55 %), or grossly hemolyzed specimen