Activated Coagulation Time Test

Activated Coagulation Time Test

Article
Laboratory Procedures
Blood Disorders
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBAJul 23, 2019

What are the other Names for this Test? (Equivalent Terms)

  • ACT Test
  • Activated Clotting Time Test 

What is Activated Coagulation Time Test? (Background Information)

  • Activated coagulation time (ACT) is used to monitor the effectiveness of high dose unfractionated (standard) heparin therapy
  • Major surgeries can result in the activation of a series of steps in the body, involving platelets and coagulation that result in clot formation. This can cause blockage of blood vessels in the body
  • Heparin is used as an anticoagulant to help prevent and treat clotting of blood, especially before and after major surgeries and procedures, like vascular surgeries, cardiac bypass, coronary angioplasty, dialysis, etc.
  • It is very important to monitor the levels of heparin, before, during, and after major surgeries, as heparin can not only prevent clot formation, but adversely, high levels of heparin in the body can also cause bleeding
  • Heparin levels are usually monitored with the help of partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test. A PTT test is based on a clotting reaction. However, when higher doses of heparin are used, PTT tests no longer remain effective, as blood does not clot with high doses of heparin
  • Instead, an Activated Coagulation Time Test is used to monitor heparin levels with higher doses. This test can also be used, when rapid results are required, as it can also be performed by the patient’s bedside. This promotes rapid monitoring and changes in the dosage level of heparin infusion 

What are the Clinical Indications for performing the Activated Coagulation Time Test?

Following are the clinical indications for performing an Activated Coagulation Time Test:

  • An ACT Test is performed by the bedside, whenever high doses of heparin are ordered
  • The test is performed before, during, and after certain surgeries, for which high doses of heparin are required to prevent clot formation. The test is repeated, till the heparin dose has been reduced, or heparin is neutralized and the patient is stable
  • The ACT Test may also be performed along with a PTT test, in patients on direct thrombin inhibitor therapy
  • In some cases of lupus anticoagulant (where a PTT test cannot be used), or bleeding episodes, an Activated Coagulation Time Test can be ordered to monitor heparin levels 

How is the Specimen Collected for Activated Coagulation Time Test?

Following is the specimen collection process for Activated Coagulation Time Test:

Sample required: Blood

Process: Insertion of a needle into an arm vein.

Preparation required: No special preparation is needed prior to the test. 

What is the Significance of the Activated Coagulation Time Test Result?

  • Activated Coagulation Time Test value (measured in seconds), signifies the time to form blood clot. Thus, the degree of clotting inhibition is measured due to heparin effect. The goal is to keep ACT levels, above a certain value, in order to prevent clot formation
  • The lower levels of ACT, called the reference ranges, before, during and after surgery, as well as the sensitivity of the test, depends on the method of testing used. This varies from one hospital to another
  • The heparin dose is adjusted according to the ACT Test values and the health condition of the patient
  • For a cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, the ACT values are usually maintained above 400-500 seconds. The values for other surgeries or clinical indications may be lower
  • The normal reference range for ACT is within 70-180 seconds 

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario. 

Additional and Relevant Useful Information:

Certain medications that you may be currently taking may influence the outcome of the test. Hence, it is important to inform your healthcare provider, the complete list of medications (including any herbal supplements) you are currently taking. This will help the healthcare provider interpret your test results more accurately and avoid unnecessary chances of a misdiagnosis.

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!