Thrombin: antithrombin complexes

Description: 
Concentration of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) is ascertained with a sandwich ELISA. TAT in test plasma are captured by antibodies bound to microtitre plate wells, incubated, and unbound material then washed off. A solution of antibody to TAT that is conjugated to an enzyme is added to ‘tag’ onto any captured TAT. Unbound conjugate is washed off and a substrate for the enzyme is added, the product of the enzyme-substrate reaction being coloured. Colour intensity is in direct proportion to the degree of conjugate-binding, itself proportional to the amount of TAT capture and thus, concentration.
Clinical details: 
The conversion of prothrombin into active thrombin is a key event in blood coagulation biochemistry. Once formed, any thrombin leaking from a forming clot is inhibited by antithrombin (AT) via formation of inactive 1:1 thrombin/antithrombin (TAT) complexes, the concentration of which can be measured by enzyme immunoassay. Elevated levels of circulating TAT complexes are an indication of increased thrombin generation and can be useful in diagnosis of thrombotic events.
Related condition or disease: 
Venous thromboembolism, thrombophilia
Reference range: 

1.0 - 4.1

Units: 
µg/L
Department: 
Haemostasis and Thrombosis Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
External requests: Citrated platelet poor plasma
350µL x 1 aliquot
Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
Turnaround time: 
14 - 21 days
Special sample instructions: 

The sample should be analysed or manipulated & stored in the laboratory within 4 hours of venepuncture. Please ensure sample tubes are filled exactly to the fill-line as underfilling creates a dilution error and leads to inaccurate results.

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Contacts:
Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis Department
St Thomas': 020 7188 2797; Guy's: 020 7188 7188 ext. 53860
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 4th and 5th Floors
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH

Laboratory opening times
24/7

Guy's Hospital
Southwark Wing - 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT

Outside core hours, contact Duty Haemostasis Biomedical Scientist
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis Laboratory at Guy's and St Thomas'

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Last updated: 09/03/2017