Alberta Precision Laboratories

--- Query Results ---

Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Test Name/Synonym:

Anti-Xa Apixaban Level (Synonym: anti Xa Apixaban, Eliquis)

Clinical Indications:

Quantitation of Apixaban concentration (ng/mL) as measured using a specific Anti-Xa based assay.

Ordering Alert:

This assay is calibrated for Apixaban, it cannot be used to quantitate other medications but it does give a qualitative indication of whether any such medications are present. If the Anti Xa is not for the purpose of monitoring Apixaban order other specific Anti Xa assays (Unfractionated Heparin, LMWH, or Rivaroxaban). For anticoagulants not mentioned default order to Anti Xa Unfractionated heparin.

For sites referring to Edmonton, Anti-Xa Heparin Level will also be performed.

Central, Edmonton, and North Zones:
Note: for urgent qualitative assessment of any FXa inhibitor (eg. rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, fondaparinux, etc.) order an “Anti-Xa Heparin Level”. The Anti-Xa Heparin Level is calibrated to Heparin units, so cannot be used to quantitate other medications but does give a qualitative indication of whether any such medications are present.

Collection Alert:

All Hospitals (Inpatients and Outpatient collection labs) can collect. For community Patient Service Centres (PSC), testing can ONLY be collected at the PSCs listed below.

Shipping and Handling Alert:

Specimens are time sensitive.

Samples must be hand-delivered. Pneumatic Tube or Electronic Tracked Vehicle (eg. Telelift) systems must NOT be used for transport.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB4361

Specimen Type:

Blood

Primary Container:

LT BLUE CITRATE

Minimum Collection Volume:

Adults: One 2.7 mL LT blue citrate tube, allow the vacuum tube to completely fill, minimum fill is to frosted line on tube.
Pediatric and Neonate: One 2.7 mL or 1.8 mL LT blue citrate tube, allow the vacuum tube to completely fill, minimum fill is to frosted line on tube.

Specimen Collection Requirements:

It is important to fill tube to maximum draw.

Mix well immediately after collection by inverting tube 3 to 4 times.
Must be collected by venipuncture. If venous access not available, sample can be drawn from a line but 6x the volume of the line or 5 mL (whichever is less) must be removed prior to collection.
When using a winged blood collection set (butterfly needle), a discard tube must be used to remove the air in the tubing, if only a citrate tube is drawn or is the first tube drawn.

All Hospitals (Inpatients and Outpatient collection labs) can collect. For community Patient Service Centres (PSC), testing can ONLY be collected at the PSCs listed below.
Calgary Zone	All Calgary Zone Patient Service Centres
Central Zone	Camrose Patient Service Centre Red Deer Downtown Patient Service Centre Red Deer Bower Plaza Patient Service Centre Lloydminster Patient Service Centre
Edmonton Zone	Meadowlark Patient Service Centre Northgate Patient Service Centre Heritage Patient Service Centre Tawa Patient Service Centre Windermere Patient Service Centre Leduc Patient Service Centre Athabasca Place (Sherwood Park) Patient Service Centre
North Zone	Franklin (Fort McMurray) Patient Service Centre Grande Prairie Patient Service Centre
South Zone	Medicine Hat Patient Service Centre Lethbridge Centre Village Patient Service Centre Lethbridge Highlands Patient Service Centre Brooks Patient Service Centre
Mobile	Test cannot be collected by Mobile Collection Service (MCS)

Test Resources:

General Laboratory Requisition – 21302

Stability and Storage:

Room temperature – 3.5 hours

Processing:

For specimens that will be received beyond stability:

Centrifuge to obtain platelet poor plasma (platelet count <10 x 10⁹/L)
Aliquot plasma, using a plastic pipette, into a polypropylene aliquot tube and freeze.
Platelet poor plasma must be prepared in accordance with the College of Physician and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) Laboratory Standard H.4.3.4. This must include procedures for regular verification that centrifuge(s) reliably produce plasma containing <10 x 10⁹/L residual platelets. Please contact Special Coagulation in Calgary 403-770-3598 (ext 3) or in Edmonton 780-407-8487 for detailed instructions.

Transportation:

Room temperature – uncentrifuged
Frozen (dry ice if available) - Specimens must maintain frozen state for entire duration of transport.

Testing Schedule:

Daily

Stat testing is available at performing sites.

Reference Interval:

See Laboratory Report.

Critical Value:

See Laboratory Report.

Testing Area:

Hematology

Performing Site:

Calgary: Foothills Medical Centre
Edmonton: University of Alberta Hospital

Contact Comments:

1-877-868-6848

Last Updated On:

Wednesday, April 2, 2025