Protein S Antigen
Protein S Antigen
    
Number
164517
CPT
85305; 85306
Related Information
  • Hemostasis and Thrombosis Appendix
  • Protein S Deficiency Profile
  • Protein S:Factor VII Antigen Ratio
  • Test Includes
    Total protein S and free protein S
    Special Instructions
    If the patient's hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer to Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions.
    Specimen
    Plasma, frozen
    Volume
    3 mL
    Minimum Volume
    2 mL
    Container
    Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube
    CollectionCollection - Updated February 8 2008
    Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red top) tubes prior to citrate (blue top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge and carefully remove the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Transfer the plasma into a LabCorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (LabCorp No 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.

    Please print and use the Specimen Collection Bulletin as a tube-filling guide.

    Storage Instructions
    Freeze
    Patient Preparation
    Avoid warfarin (Coumadin®) therapy for 2 weeks and heparin therapy for 2 days prior to the test. Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.
    Causes for Rejection
    Gross hemolysis; clotted specimen; frozen specimen thawed in transit; improper labeling
    Reference Interval
    Total: 58% to 150%; free: 56% to 124%. In newborns, total PS levels are lower than in adults (12% to 60%). Levels gradually reach adult ranges by 6 months of age.6
    Use
    Confirmation and characterization of protein S (PS) congenital deficiency
    Limitations
    The presence of heparin or lupus anticoagulants leads to overestimation of PS. aPC resistance due to factor VLeiden mutation or some other cause can falsely lower measured PS activity levels.7
    Methodology
    Total PS is measured directly by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Free PS is measured by EIA after C4b-BP complexed PS is precipitated out with polyethylene glycol.
    Additional Information
    See Protein S Deficiency Profile [117754] for more clinical information.
    Footnotes
    1. Adcock DM, Kressin DC, and Marlar RA, “Effect of 3.2% vs 3.8% Sodium Citrate Concentration on Routine Coagulation Testing,” Am J Clin Pathol, 1997, 107(1):105-10.
    2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, et al, “Prolonged Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Due to Underfilled Specimen Tubes With 109 mmol/L (3.2%) Citrate Anticoagulant,” Am J Clin Pathol, 1998, 109(6):754-7.
    3. “National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standardization: Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing and General Performance of Coagulation Assays; Approved Guideline,” Third Edition, Villanova: NCCLS Document H21-A3:11(23), 1999.
    4. Gottfried EL and Adachi MM, “Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Can Be Performed on the First Tube,” Am J Clin Pathol, 1997, 107(6):681-3.
    5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, et al, “Drawing Specimens for Coagulation Testing: Is a Second Tube Necessary?” Clin Lab Sci, 1999, 12(3):137-9.
    6. Van Cott EM and Laposata M, “Coagulation,” Laboratory Test Handbook With Key Word Index, Jacobs DS, DeMott WR, and Oxley DK eds, Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, 2001, 327-58.
    7. Adcock DM, Jensen R, Johns CS, et al, Coagulation Handbook, Esoterix Coagulation, 2002

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