Description
Partial Thromboplastin Time, Activated - The aPTT is a screening test that will detect deficiencies or inhibitors to the intrinsic (Factors VIII, IX, XI and XII) and common (Factors II, V, X and fibrinogen) pathway coagulation factors.This test is often used to help detect a bleeding disorder or clotting disorder and can help a doctor determine the cause, if present. It may sometimes be used before surgery or other invasive procedures to determine if excessive bleeding or clotting problems may be likely to occur.
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)—Evaluates how well the clotting factors involved in the intrinsic and common pathways work together. These include factors XII, XI, IX, VIII, X, V, II (prothrombin), and I (fibrinogen), in addition to prekallikrein (PK) and high molecular weight kininogen (HK).
Blood clotting, or coagulation, is a necessary process that prevents a person from losing too much blood if they’re injured. However, sometimes clots form and can be dangerous, causing serious problems like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary (lung) embolism. By evaluating the time it takes your blood to clot via different methods, the PTT help detect if you have a bleeding or clotting disorder. As a pre-surgical test, the PTT helps a doctor evaluate the likelihood of excessive bleeding or clotting to determine risks during or after surgery.
This test is used as a starting point for investigating excessive bleeding and clotting disorders. It is also used to monitor heparin anticoagulant therapy and to distinguish if the right doses of heparin are being used. Also, this test is also used before surgeries to asses risk of excessive bleeding.
The aPTT test measures how well your body’s blood clotting process is working. Each factor in the clotting process must be working properly and be present in the right amount. If there is not enough of one or more factors, or if the factors are not working properly, excessive bleeding or clotting may occur.
