80658-8

LOINC code 80658-8 identifies "Activated clotting time (ACT) of Blood induced by Diatomaceous earth". This is a point-of-care electrochemical assay that measures venous or arterial whole blood activated clotting time (ACT) by using a Celite clot activator, which stimulates the intrinsic coagulation pathway. Celite is the commonly-used brand name of the diatomaceous earth (a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock) used in ACT assays. Different activators result in different clotting times. For example, the ACT reference ranges for glass, kaolin and Celite are 110-190 sec, 90-150 sec and 100-170 sec, respectively. [http://www.practical-haemostasis.com/Miscellaneous/Miscellaneous%20Tests/act.html] In addition, aprotinin may affect the ACT result when Celite is used, therefore, the test is not recommended for use with patients receiving aprotinin. The ACT is primarily used to monitor a patient's state of anticoagulation due to heparin that is administered during a medical or surgical procedure. It is commonly employed in cardiac catheterization, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), renal dialysis, hemodialysis, and extra-corporeal circulation during bypass. This term was created for, but not limited in use to, the submitter's Abbott Celite activated clotting time test kit.

This code measures Activated clotting time in Bld. It belongs to the COAG class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.