Direct Thombin Inhibitor measurement: argatroban and dabigatran
- Description
- Clotting based diluted thrombin time assay for the measurement of argatroban or dabigatran concentration in patient plasma. Routinely there is little or no requirement for laboratory testing due to predictable pharmacokinetics. However in situations such as pre-surgery, the presence of interfering drugs, impaired renal function, questions of compliance, bleeding or drug overdose monitoring may be indicated.
- Clinical details
- Direct Thrombin inhibitors (DTI) are anticoagulants used in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders including venous thromboembolism (VTE), prevention of thrombotic complications associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); acute coronary syndromes (ACS); secondary prevention of coronary events after ACS and prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Among the direct thrombin inhibitors in current clinical use are the oral DTI dabigatran (Pradaxa®) and the parenterally administered argatroban (Exembol®).
- Related condition
- Reference range
Dabigatran150mg bid: peak levels should be <275ng/ml. Please contact the laboratory for argatoban therapeutic range.
- Units
- ng/mL
- Synonyms
- Direct Thrombin inhibitor (DTI). Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) and Argatroban (Exembol®)
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Blood Sciences : St Thomas' Hospital
- Laboratory
- Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis
- Sample type and volume required
- External requests: Citrated platelet poor plasma 500µL x 1 aliquot Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
- Special sample instructions
The sample should be analysed or stored within 4 hours of venepuncture. Please ensure sample tubes are filled exactly to the fill-line as underfilling or overfilling creates a dilution error and leads to inaccurate results.
- Storage and transport
- It is advised that citrated plasma is frozen prior to transport and sent to the laboratory on dry ice to maintain sample quality and integrity.
- Turnaround time
- 5 - 7 days : Call laboratory to arrange urgent analysis
- Contacts
Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis Department
St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 2797
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 4th and 5th Floors
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHGuy’s Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 7188 ext. 53860
Guy’s Hospital
Southwark Wing – 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Outside core hours, contact Duty Haemostasis Biomedical Scientist