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Low Molecular Weight Heparin

Icon & Photos

Blue Top (Citrate Tube)

Specimen Requirements

Preferred:
Container/Tube: Blue Top (Citrate Tube)
Minimum Volume: 1 mL Blood
Collection Instructions: Spin immediately.

Specimen Stability

Analyze within 1 Hour: Use Primary Tube

Analyze within 4 Hours:
Spin immediately. Remove the top 2/3 plasma within 1 hour and spin again. Remove the top 2/3 of the plasma from
this sample for testing.

Analyze > 4 Hours: Remove the top 2/3 plasma within 1 hour and spin again. Remove the top 2/3 of this sample and freeze at -70 degrees

Reference Range

Patient Not on Low Molecular Weight Heparin:
0 IU/mL
Therapeutic Peak Range for treatment of existing DVT @ 4 hrs post injection:
0.6-1.0 IU/mL for a twice daily regimen
1.0-2.0 IU/mL for once daily administration

Methodology

Chromogenic

CPT

85520

Test Alias

LMWH

Lab Handling

Draw specimen 4 hours after injection of LMWH. Otherwise, falsely low values may occur. Therapeutic ranges are defined for peak levels.