Test Code FVIII FACTOR VIII (8) ASSAY
Specimen Requirements
- Draw blood in light blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube(s). Tube(s) must be full upon collection.
- Separate plasma from cells as soon as possible within 4 hours of collection in a centrifuge at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes or 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes.
- Using a plastic transfer pipette (do not use a glass pipette) decant the plasma to a screw-capped, plastic (polypropylene) vial. Glass vials will not be accepted.
- Spin the plasma again at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes or 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Note: Double spinning the specimen ensures platelet poor plasma (<10,000 uL)
- Divide the plasma into as many 0.5-1.0 mL aliquots as possible and cap the vial(s) tightly.
- Place tubes upright and flash freeze specimen(s) immediately at ≤ – 20° C or below.
- Send specimen(s) FROZEN on dry ice.
Click here to view the Procedure for Collecting a Specimen from an A-line
Specimens will be rejected if under filled (<90%), clotted, high hematocrit (>55%), or grossly hemolyzed.
Reference Values
FACTOR VIII
Adults: 50-200%
Specimen Stability Information
Room Temp: 4 Hours
Note: Whole blood that remains capped and unspun is stable for up to 4 hours when stored at room temperature (18 – 24°C). Frozen plasma is stable 2 weeks @ -20°C and 12 months @ -70°C. Blue top tubes for factor assays must not be refrigerated or placed on ice.
Add On Capable
Yes – if testing is added before the specimen is past 4 hour stability limit at room temperature. Add on testing also possible if plasma is still available frozen @ -70°C. Please contact the Bramhall Special Coagulation Laboratory to verify that frozen plasma is still available to perform the request.
Days and Times Test Performed
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-3:00 pm
Report Available
Approximately 48 hours for STAT collections
Approximately 1 week for routine collections
CPT Code
| 85240 | Clotting, Factor VIII (AHG), 1-stage |