Laboratory Medicine Program

dilute Russell Viper Venom Time (dRVVT)
(Lupus anticoagulant, Anti-phospholipid Antibody, APLA)

Clinical Decription:
The dRVVT assay is included in a panel of tests designed to detect the presence of an antiphospholipid antibody. Diluted thromboplastin, Russell Viper Venom and calcium are combined and a clotting assay is performed. This assay activates factor X directly, bypassing interference from a deficiency of intrinsic pathway factors or inhibitors of those factors.

Method: Optical clot detection; Siemens Sysmex CS-5100

Component Tests Used: Dilute Russell Viper Venom Time, Lupus-sensitive aPTT, Anti-cardiolipin Antibodies

Reference Ranges Used:
dRVVT ratio < 1.35 Medical Interpretation is provided.

Specimen Type: Citrated plasma
Collected In: 3.2% Sodium Citrate
Volume: 3 x 1.0 mL (minimum: 3 x 1.0 mL)

Shipping: Send frozen on dry ice.

Special Instructions: Patient should be fasting, if possible. Anticoagulants should be held for a requisite amount of time prior to testing to ensure no anticoagulant effect on the plasma. The specimen must be double-centrifuged to obtain a platelet-poor plasma specimen (Plt < 10x10E9/L): 1. Immediately centrifuge specimen at 1500xG for 10 minutes. 2. Separate the plasma from the platelet/buffy coat and transfer into a clean plastic tube. 3. Centrifuge the separated plasma at 1500xG for 10 minutes. 4. Transfer 1.0 to 2.0 mL of the double-centrifuged plasma into a clean plastic tube, leaving approx. 200 uL for discard. 5. Freeze plasma aliquot immediately for storage. Maintain frozen for shipping and handling. Patients on warfarin may give a false positive result. Patients receiving a Direct Thrombin Inhibitor such as Dabigatran cannot be tested for the Antiphospholipid Antibody as the anticoagulant interferes with the clotting assays.

Testing Schedule(s): Weekly.

Turnaround Time: 10 Business days

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For more information, call 416.340.5227 or 1.866.865.5227

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