Test Overview
Anti-IIa clottable assay
Used for monitoring argatroban therapy.
The concentration in a normal individual is zero. The therapeutic range for argatroban is 0.4 - 1.2 mcg/mL.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Test Details
2 hours
- Argatroban
- Ecarin Clotting Time
- ARGAT
- Anti-IIa Inhibitor Assay
STAT requests for this test will be performed on a STAT basis (supervisory staff approval is not required).
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen in a blue top (citrate 3.2%) tube. Mix by inversion. Specimen should arrive at lab within 4 hours of collection; transport at room temperature. Alternatively, centrifuge, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial, and freeze the specimen within 4 hours of collection. Transport frozen specimen on dry ice. Collection of the blood through lines that have been previously flushed with heparin should be avoided. If the blood must be drawn through a VAD (vascular access device), the line should be flushed with 5 mL of saline and the first 5 mL of blood or six dead space volumes of the VAD discarded.
Additional Information
Argatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor used for patients who cannot be treated with Heparin. The initial half-life of Argatroban is between 39-51 minutes and is cleared by the liver. Upon discontinuation of therapy, anticoagulant parameters return to baseline within 2-4 hours.