activated clotting time (ACT, activated coagulation time)

Indications

• monitoring high-dose heparin anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass & dialysis

Reference interval

107 +/- 13 seconds

Increases

• hemophilia A
• hemophilia B
• coagulation factor XI deficiency
• multiple coagulation factor deficiency

Specimen

• whole blood, no anticoagulant
• collect into tubes containing Celite
• test performed at bedside (operating room) 37 degrees

Interpretation

• test prolonged with severe deficiencies of procoagulants, except factor VII & factor XIII

More general terms

• clotting time

Additional terms

• partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
• prothrombin time (PT)
• thrombin time (TT)

Patient information

activated clotting time (ACT) patient information