APTT Test (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) |#MTP|

APTT test enables doctors to examine your body’s ability to form blood clots.

APTT is a coagulation test that measures the time taken to form a blood clot. In case of an injury causing bleeding , the proteins in blood form a coagulation pathway or cascade to stop the bleeding by forming clots. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test measures the functionality of the intrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade. (Factor XII, XI, IX, VIII, X, V, II and Fibrinogen).

Reasons for Undergoing the APTT Test 

The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test is a vital blood coagulation test that healthcare providers order for various reasons. These include: 

• Diagnosing and monitoring bleeding disorders such as haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other conditions affecting blood clotting 
• Monitoring patients receiving heparin therapy to ensure proper dosage and prevent dangerous blood clots while allowing necessary clotting 
• Investigating unexplained bleeding, easy bruising, or the formation of blood clots in veins or arteries 
• Assessing the impact of chronic conditions like liver disease on blood clotting 
• Detecting nonspecific autoantibodies such as lupus anticoagulant, associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and recurrent miscarriages 
• Evaluating the coagulation status before and after surgeries to ensure proper clotting 

List of Parameters Considered During the APTT Test 

The APTT lab test measures the time it takes for blood to clot after adding specific reagents, providing insights into the efficiency of the intrinsic and common final coagulation pathways. The key parameters considered in the test include: 

• Clotting Time: The number of seconds it takes for a clot to form in the blood sample, indicating the functioning of the intrinsic pathway (involving factors XII, XI, IX, and VIII) and the common final pathway (involving factors X, V, II, and fibrinogen) 
• Normal Range: Typically between 21 and 35 seconds, although this may vary slightly depending on the laboratory and method used 
• Prolonged APTT: Suggests a problem with one or more clotting factors due to deficiencies, inhibitors, or other conditions affecting clotting 
• Shortened APTT: A rare occurrence that may indicate an increased risk for blood clots, bleeding, or multiple miscarriages