Thrombin: antithrombin complexes
- Description
- Concentration of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) is ascertained with a sandwich ELISA. TAT in test plasma are captured by antibodies bound to microtitre plate wells, incubated, and unbound material then washed off. A solution of antibody to TAT that is conjugated to an enzyme is added to 'ag' onto any captured TAT. Unbound conjugate is washed off and a substrate for the enzyme is added, the product of the enzyme-substrate reaction being coloured. Colour intensity is in direct proportion to the degree of conjugate-binding, itself proportional to the amount of TAT capture and thus, concentration.
- Clinical details
- The conversion of prothrombin into active thrombin is a key event in blood coagulation biochemistry. Once formed, any thrombin leaking from a forming clot is inhibited by antithrombin (AT) via formation of inactive 1:1 thrombin/antithrombin (TAT) complexes, the concentration of which can be measured by enzyme immunoassay. Elevated levels of circulating TAT complexes are an indication of increased thrombin generation and can be useful in diagnosis of thrombotic events.
- Related condition
- Reference range
1.0 - 4.1
- Units
- µg/L
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Blood Sciences : St Thomas' Hospital
- Laboratory
- Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis
- Sample type and volume required
- External requests: Citrated platelet poor plasma 350µL x 1 aliquot Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
- Special sample instructions
The sample should be analysed or manipulated & stored in the laboratory within 4 hours of venepuncture. Please ensure sample tubes are filled exactly to the fill-line as underfilling creates a dilution error and leads to inaccurate results.
- Turnaround time
- 14 - 21 days
- 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