Laboratory Medicine Program

Heparin (Unfractionated)
(UFH, Anti-Xa, Heparin Level)

Clinical Decription:
Unfractionated heparin is a mixture of varying chain lengths of glycosaminoglycans. It is an 'indirect' anticoagulant. It exerts its anticoagulant effect by combining with antithrombin (via 5 saccharide units - pentasaccharide) and inhibiting the coagulation factors IIa, Xa, IXa, XIa and XIIa. It can be administered either intravenously or subcutaneously. UFH can be monitored using the aPTT or the anti-Xa assay. Half-life is 60-90 minutes; half-life for SC heparin is longer.

Method: Chromogenic; Siemens Sysmex CS-5100

Component Tests Used: n/a

Reference Ranges Used:
0.30 - 0.70 IU/mL

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

Shipping: Send frozen on dry ice.

Special Instructions: Patient should be fasting, if possible. The specimen must be centrifuged and plasma separated within 1 hour of collection. 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.

Testing Schedule(s): Daily.

Turnaround Time: 1 day

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