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Test Code HITA Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia by Platelet Factor 4

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top Tube

Other Acceptable specimens: N/A

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

NOTE: Once each blue top tube is completely filled, gently invert the sample tube at least five times to ensure complete mixing of the contents.

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure.
  • Once each red top tube is completely filled, gently invert the sample tube at least five times to ensure complete mixing of the contents.
  • Specimen should be centrifuged at >2500 x g for 10 minutes.
  • Aliquot removed serum into 2 tubes containing minimum of 0.5 mL of specimen each.
  • Serum samples must then be frozen at -20oC.
  • Once solidly frozen, they must be shipped on dry ice. Samples that have thawed in transit will be rejected.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.

Reference Values

 

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

HITA

ALL

ALL

<0.400 OD

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

86022 

LOINC Codes

73818-7

Volume

Preferred Volume: 1.0 mL serum

 

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL serum

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

8 hours

Refrigerated

72 hours

Frozen

30 days

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

NOTE: Once each blue top tube is completely filled, gently invert the sample tube at least five times to ensure complete mixing of the contents.

Test Components

HIT

Clinical Indications

Sensitive screening assay for heparin induced thrombocytopenia.

Methodology

ELISA

Additional Information

Should be ordered only in the setting of:
1) A substantial drop in the platelet count with an appropriate temporal relationship to recent heparin administration.


2) Re-exposure to heparin in patients previously diagnosed with HIT.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

STAT Turnaround Time: N/A

 

Routine Turnaround Time: Up to 3 days

 

Testing Schedule: Monday to Friday.

Synonyms/Keyword Search

HITA; HIT; PF4; VITT

Last Review Date

05/28/2024