Sign in →

Test Code Fibrinogen Fibrinogen

Important Note

Tube must be properly filled.

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen

Methodology

The STA Compact Max® is a fully automated coagulation instrument, which uses an electromagnetic mechanical clot detection system.  The quantitative determination of fibrinogen in plasma is obtained by the Clauss clotting method.  In the presence of excess thrombin, the clotting time of diluted plasma is inversely proportional to the level of plasma fibrinogen. The oscillation of a steel ball within the cuvette with the thrombin and diluted patient plasma is monitored by the STA Compact Max®.  When the oscillation of the steel ball is slowed by clot formation, the sensor determines the time in seconds. The time is then converted to a reportable concentration (mg/dL) level using a pre-calibrated curve specific to the lot number of reagent. 

Patient Preparation

None

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Volume

1 mL plasma

Minimum Volume

1 mL plasma

Container

3.2% sodium citrate tube (blue top), BD or Greiner Vacutainer tubes

Stability

Plasma Storage:

  • 8 hours at 15-25⁰ C.
  • Platelet poor plasma is stable for 2 weeks at -20⁰ C. Specimens must be double-spun and separated prior to freezing.

Rejection Criteria
  • Clotted
  • Hemolyzed
  • Expired collection tube
  • Under or Overfilled tube (blood/anticoagulant ratio must be 9:1; tube filled between 90-110 %)
  • Improperly mixed specimen

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reference Range

197 – 469 mg/dL

Critical Ranges

<60 mg/dL

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

Fibrinogen procedure is insensitive to the following substances: fibrin degradation products (up to 130 ug/mL), hirudin (up to 3 ug/mL) and heparins (UFH/LMWH up to 2IU/mL).

Useful For

Fibrinogen (inactive factor I) is a glycoprotein synthesized in the liver and by megakaryocytes. It has a half-life of about 3-5 days and its synthesis is controlled by a gene which codes for β chain synthesis. Due to polymorphism in this gene, the plasma level of fibrinogen varies between individuals. When Fibrinogen chains are broken by Thrombin, fibrin monomers are produced which aggregate to form Fibrin (active factor I) which is involved in clot formation and stabilization. An increase of the fibrinogen level is observed in cases of diabetes, inflammatory syndromes, obesity, and pregnancy.  A decrease of the fibrinogen level is observed in DIC and fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen seems to be involved in the pathogenicity of thrombotic cardiovascular events.

Collection Instructions

  • Sample collections must comply with the recommendations for hemostasis tests.
  • 3.2% sodium citrate tubes only.
  • Tube must be properly filled.