Echis Clotting Time

Sample type:

• Citrated Plasma is diluted with an equal volume of Tris buffer.

Uses:

• Test that can be used to measure the activity of direct thrombin inhibitors such as argatroban and dabigatran.

Precautions:

The patient shouldn’t take medication contain vitamin k antagonist such as warfarin.

Interfering Factors:

• The ECT will be prolonged in the presence of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors such as Argatroban and Hirudin.

• The test will also be abnormal if Prothrombin levels are reduced such as in inherited Prothrombin deficiencies and if the Fibrinogen levels are reduced as in a hypo- or hypo-dysfibrinogenaemia.

• Individuals taking a vitamin K antagonist such as Warfarin [although the Prothrombin Time will be prolonged] and in liver disease

Pre analytical errors:

1. Inappropriate specimen received.

2. Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label;

3. Specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 72 hours);

4. Specimen received in expired transport container.

Corrective action:

1. Appropriate specimen received.

2. Labeled specimen and no name discrepancy between specimen and request label.

3. Specimen received without delay.

4. Specimen received in valid transport container.

Post analytical errors:

1. Failure in reporting.

2. Erroneous validation of analytical data.

3. Improper data entry.

Corrective action:

1. Write correct report.

2. All analytical data should be valid.

3. Proper data entry.

Reference range:

• The reference range for the Ecarin Clotting Time is 22.6-29 seconds.