摘要 |
An method for performing activated clotting time tests, including a method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The method includes the steps of combining a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, a sufficient amount of clotting reagent to achieve clotting, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelet activating agent is a reagent other than the clotting reagent. The platelets of the sample are activated by agitating the test mixture, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture. The activated clotting time of the sample of blood is calculated based on the elapsed time. The activated clotting time test may be performed using a plunger sensor apparatus which comprises a plurality of test cells. In this method, each of the cells of the apparatus includes a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, and a sufficient amount of a clotting reagent to achieve clotting. At least one of the test cells further includes a platelet activating agent, which is a reagent other than the clotting reagent. The clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and the relative clotting times of the aliquot portions in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the sample.
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