Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has many advantages over usual heparin. It has more predictable response rate with low side effect (like osteoporosis and thromboc ytopenia). LMWH is used as anti-coagulant in venous thromboembolic disease, in antiphospholipid syndrome , in repeated abortion in pregnancy and experimentally in some cancer treatment as an important �Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI)� which could prevent cancer angiogenesis and spread
LMWH affects mainly factor Xa by inhibiting the coagulation cascade, and to lesser extent Factor II with a ratio of anti-Xa/ anti-IIa usually exceeding 3. That is why measurement of activity of anti-Xa is the best test for monitoring low molecular weight heparin
In addition, patients with lupus anticoagulants or factor XII deficiency are bettered monitored by anti-Xa when given heparin. PTT is not reliable in these instances
The anti-Xa therapeutic range 0.5-1.0 IU/mL
(Specimen required: Plasma (blue top: sodium citrate
We in the First Medical Lab are dedicated to bring the best of Laboratory medicine to clinical practice in Jordan
Dr. Hussam Abu-Farsakh
American Board of Anatomic & Clinical Pathology, and Cytopathology
Circular: is a periodic circular that distributed to clinician informing them about new and important tests available at First Medical Laboratory. All information listed are supported by recent literature