Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive in laboratory within 3 hours of draw. If specimen is transported by courier, please inform courier of PFA specimen which needs to be taken to testing area within 3 hours from draw time.

Draw 2 full, light blue-top (citrate) tubes; and send citrated whole blood. Invert several times to mix blood. Do not centrifuge. Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate. Specimen cannot be frozen.

Note:  1. Certain fatty acids and lipids found in various human diets are widely known to inhibit platelet function. Physicians may wish to advise patients to refrain from fatty foods prior to testing.

2. Presence of hemolysis may interfere with test results. Platelet inhibiting agents such as aspirin and anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists directly affect platelet function. Avoid aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs for 7 to 10 days prior to test.