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Test Code LMW Hep Low Molecular Weight Heparin Assay (Lovenox)

Important Note

Draw 1 tube- Must be completely filled.

If transport to the lab will exceed 4 hours: Immediately centrifuge the specimen 2 times and aliquot plasma into a separate plastic vial.  Send specimen frozen.

Draw samples for Lovenox levels at drug peak, which is 4 hours after the dose.

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory- Automated Procedures          304-388-5953       

Specimen Requirements

Plasma- Light Blue Top, Sodium Citrate

Draw 2 full tubes by “clean” venipuncture (no excessive trauma).

Immediately after draw, invert tubes several times to mix blood with additive.

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Hemolyzed 
  • Lipemic
  • Clotted

Storage and Stability

Room temperature 18-24oC 4 hours
Frozen < -20oC 2 weeks
Frozen < -70oC 6 months

Reference Values

Patients not anti-coagulated 0 IU/mL
Target levels for prophylaxis (For daily or BID dosing) 0.2-0.5 IU/mL
Target levels for therapy BID 0.5-1.1 IU/mL
Target levels for therapy daily 1.0-2.0 IU/mL

Methodology

Heparin Factor Xa using a chromogenic assay

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Friday, Batched, Dayshift Only 7AM- 2:30PM

Turnaround Time- 24 hours on days offered

CPT Coding

85520