Anti-Platelet Factor 4




Test Mnemonic

PLATF4

CPT Codes

  • 86022 - QTY (2)

Aliases

  • Heparin Dependent Antibody
  • PF4
  • Platelet Antibody Heparin
  • Platelet Antibody LMW Heparin
  • PLTAB1
  • PLTAB2

Performing Laboratory

Cleveland Clinic Laboratories


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mLPlasmaSodium citrate (Lt. Blue) Frozen 

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mLSerumNo additive (Red) FrozenSeparate serum from cells ASAP. Specimen must be labeled as serum.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Ambient4 hours
RefrigeratedUnacceptable
Frozen2 months

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

1 day

Methodology

Name Description
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) 

Reference Range

Anti-Platelet Factor 4
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
   Years99 YearsNormal< 0.400OD
   Years99 YearsUrgent>0.400 OD reading with more than 50% inhibition with excess heparin after Pathologist review.OD
PF4 Interpretation
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       NormalNegative 
       UrgentPositive(*) 

Special Info

3.2 % sodium citrate is the preferred anticoagulant recommended by CLSI. All positive specimens (OD>= 0.400) will have confirmatory platelet aggregation testing (PLHEPP or PLLMWP) ordered and charged. If Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia is due to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), contact the lab at 216-444-2519.

Clinical Info

Test to detect IgG anti-PF4/heparin antibodies, observed in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. OD > = 0.400 with positive heparin confirmation step suggests presence of anti-PF4/heparin antibody, but does not confirm a diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which should include clinical findings.