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
3 mLPlasmaSodium citrate (Lt. Blue) FrozenSeparate plasma from cells ASAP.

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. Serum not preferred, as it cannot be used for positive confirmatory reflex test.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
AmbientRemove plasma from cells ASAP. Plasma good for 4 hours ambient.
RefrigeratedUnacceptable
Frozen2 weeks

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.