Preferred Specimen(s) 3.2% sodium citrate (light blue-top) tube
Instructions: Correct ratio of blood to citrate is critical. Do not overfill or underfill collection tube. Mix by inversion 4 times. Do not pool plasma from multiple tubes. For non heparinized patients, maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not uncap. Non-heparinized patients are stable up to 72 hours at room temperature. Heparinized patients stable for 24 hours at room temperature. If testing cannot be completed within stability limits, centrifuge specimen within 1 hour of collection at atleast 1500 RCF (relative centrifugal force) for 15 minutes. Transfer plasma to a plastic screw-cap vial and freeze at -200 degree Celsius immediately.
Transport Container Whole blood: 3.2% sodium citrate (light blue-top) tube
Plasma: Plastic screw-cap vial (frozen)
Transport Temperature Room temperature for light blue-top (sodium citrate) tube; frozen for plasma in plastic screw-cap vials
Reject Criteria
- Hemolysis
- Clotted
Methodology Clot Detection
Clinical Significance Fibrinogen is essential for the formation of a blood clot. Deficiency can produce mild to severe bleeding disorders.