Test Code Billings Clinic: 2016 Factor VIII Assay, Plasma
Performing Laboratory
Billings Clinic Laboratory: Coagulation
Useful For
- Factor VIII assays are used for definitive identification of patients with deficient factor VIII activity (ie, patients with hemophilia A).
- Patients with >30% factor activity usually exhibit few if any significant effects.
Methodology
Optical
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Collection and Handling:
- Draw blood in a light blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube(s).
- Immediately after draw, gently invert tube(s) at least 6 times to mix well.
- Spin down, remove plasma, spin plasma again, and place 1 mL of citrate platelet-poor plasma in plastic vial.
- Double-centrifuged specimens are critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.
- Glass vial is not acceptable.
- Freeze specimen immediately at -20° C.
Specimen Transport:
- Send specimen frozen.
- DO NOT refrigerate specimen
Storage/Stability
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
Plasma (citrated) | Frozen (preferred) | 2 weeks |
Ambient | 3 hours |
Reject Due To
- Clotted Specimen
- Specimen other than Citrated Plasma
- Incorrect fill in specimen collection tube
- Refrigerated specimen
Reference Values
50-150%
Day(s) Test Set Up
Daily
Test Classification and CPT Coding
85240 - Clotting; factor VIII (AHG), 1-stage
LOINC Code Information
Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
Factor VIII Assay | 3209-4 |
Specimen Requirements - Specimen Processing
Keep frozen at -70 until ready for testing.