Routine: 2 Hours
Urgent: 1 Hour

24 hours, 7 days a week.

5.4 mL blood collected in two 2.7 mL LIGHT BLUE top tubes, 3.2% sodium citrate. Analysis is performed on whole blood.
Do NOT refrigerate. Do NOT centrifuge.
Sample must arrive in the lab within 3 hours of draw; the sample is stable only 4 hours after collection.
DO NOT send by pneumatic tube transport.

COL/ADP only: 1 pediatric 1.3 mL LIGHT BLUE top tube, 3.2% sodium citrate.
COL/EPI and COL/ADP: 2 pediatric 1.3 mL LIGHT BLUE top tubes, 3.2% sodium citrate.
Do NOT refrigerate or centrifuge.
Do NOT send via pneumatic tube.

COL/EPI 85 to 148 seconds
COL/ADP 64 to 113 seconds

It is important to note that the PFA-100, like the Bleeding Time test does NOT predict bleeding at surgery, but instead detects defects (often mild) in platelet function. Patients with abnormal tests may have excessive bleeding with trauma, and conversely, a normal test does not preclude excessive hemorrhage.

Patients with low platelet counts (less than 150,000/microliters), low hematocrits (less than 35%) or significantly hemolyzed samples may prolong PFA closure times.

Useful as an initial test when qualitative platelet disorder (congenital or acquired) is suspected (replaces the bleeding time). It may also be useful to monitor new antiplatelet agents, such as GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists. 

Methodology: PFA-100, aggregation

PFA, PFA-100