PROTEIN C ACTIVITY IS A BLOOD TEST THAT MEASURES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF PROTEIN C, A NATURAL ANTICOAGULANT IN THE BODY THAT HELPS PREVENT EXCESSIVE BLOOD CLOTTING. LOW PROTEIN C ACTIVITY INCREASES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING BLOOD CLOTS, SUCH AS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM. THIS TEST IS OFTEN ORDERED WHEN THERE IS A SUSPICION OF AN INCREASED CLOTTING RISK DUE TO FAMILY HISTORY, PREVIOUS BLOOD CLOTS, OR OTHER RISK FACTORS.

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS AND PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME. CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGG IS THE MOST SENSITIVE BUT THE LEAST SPECIFIC ANTIBODY.

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS AND PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME. CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGM IS LESS SENSITIVE BUT MORE SPECIFIC THAN CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGG.

The Lupus Anticoagulant by dRVVT (dilute Russell's viper venom time) test is a coagulation assay used to detect the presence of lupus anticoagulants (LA), which are a type of antiphospholipid antibodies. Despite their name, these antibodies are not typically associated with bleeding disorders or systemic lupus erythematosus and are in fact linked to an increased risk of blood clots (thrombosis). The dRVVT test works by using a diluted venom that directly activates Factor X of the coagulation cascade. A prolonged clotting time in the initial screening phase suggests the presence of an inhibitor. This is followed by a confirmatory test using an excess of phospholipids. If the prolonged clotting time corrects (shortens) in the confirmatory step, it indicates that the inhibitor is phospholipid-dependent, which is a characteristic of lupus anticoagulants.

THIS ASSAY IS USED AS AN ADJUNCT TO INITIAL TESTING BASED ON THE RESULTS OF PROTEIN S ANTIGEN ASSAY. IT HELPS IN EVALUATING PATIENTS WITH HISTORY OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AND DIAGNOSING CONGENITAL / ACQUIRED PROTEIN S DEFICIENCY. ONLY FREE PROTEIN S HAS ANTICOAGULANT ACTIVITY.

THIS TEST MEASURES THE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF ANTITHROMBIN, A PROTEIN THAT HELPS PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS. LOW ANTITHROMBIN ACTIVITY CAN INDICATE AN INCREASED RISK FOR THROMBOSIS (BLOOD CLOTS), SUCH AS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) OR PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE). IT CAN BE CAUSED BY A GENETIC DEFICIENCY, LIVER DISEASE, OR OTHER CONDITIONS.