Rapid preparation of plasma for 'Stat' coagulation testing.

Abstract

We undertook to confirm and extend the previous work on the use of microcentrifugation (2 minutes at 11,000 g) to prepare platelet-poor plasma for assay of the prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, D-dimer, antithrombin III, and dilute Russell viper venom time. We compared results of routinely submitted blood samples by both high-speed and routine (15 minutes at 1800g) centrifugation. We found no significant differences in assay results and concluded that the high-speed technique is a reliable and useful option for minimizing turnaround times for these coagulation assays.