Protein C Antigen

CPT: 85302
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Special Instructions

If the patient's hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer to Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions.


Expected Turnaround Time

2 - 4 days



Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Procedures for Hemostasis and Thrombosis: A Clinical Test Compendium


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Plasma, frozen


Volume

1 mL


Container

Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube


Collection

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, except when the sample is collected using a winged (ie, "butterfly") collection system. With a winged blood collection set a discard tube should be drawn first to account for the dead space of the tubing and prevent underfilling of the evacuated tube.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 alternative 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.

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


Storage Instructions

Freeze.


Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Frozen

28 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3


Patient Preparation

Avoid warfarin (Coumadin®) therapy for two weeks and heparin therapy for two days prior to the test. Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.


Causes for Rejection

Gross hemolysis; clotted specimen; frozen specimen thawed in transit; improper labeling


Test Details


Use

This test is used for confirmation and characterization of protein C deficiency.


Limitations

Individuals with heterozygous PC deficiency may have low normal PC levels.7 Treatment with warfarin decreases the levels of vitamin K-dependent factors including PC. PC levels start to drop after six hours of warfarin treatment and do not regain pretreatment levels until generally two weeks after cessation of therapy. PC levels can become depleted as the result of activation of coagulation, limiting the utility of testing for congenital PC deficiency during the immediate convalescent period after a thrombotic event.7

This procedure may be considered by Medicare and other carriers as investigational and, therefore, may not be payable as a covered benefit for patients.


Methodology

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)


Reference Interval

Protein C levels tend to be lower in newborns but typically reach adult ranges by six months of age.6 Levels in some children remain low until 16 years of age.6


Additional Information

See Protein C Deficiency Profile [283655] for more clinical information.


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. 1997Jan; 107(1):105-110. 8980376
2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, Ng VL, Gottfried EL. 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 Jun; 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 Jun; 107(6):681-683. 9169665
5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, Norris WL, Doe RH, Ray H. Drawing specimens for coagulation testing: Is a second tube necessary? Clin Lab Sci. 1999 May-Jun; 12(3):137-139. 10539100
6. Van Cott EM, Laposata M. Coagulation. In Jacobs DS, DeMott WR, Oxley DK, eds. Laboratory Test Handbook With Key Word Index. Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp; 2001: 327-358.
7. Adcock DM, Bethel MA, Macy PA. Coagulation Handbook. Aurora, Colo: Esoterix−Colorado Coagulation; 2006.

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
080465 Protein C Antigen 27820-0 080465 Protein C Antigen % 27820-0

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