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HelpTest ID: CFX Protein C Activity, Plasma
Reporting Name
Protein C Activity, PUseful For
As an initial test for evaluating patients suspected of having congenital protein C deficiency, including those with personal or family histories of thrombotic events
Detecting and confirming congenital type I and type II protein C deficiencies
Detecting and confirming congenital homozygous protein C deficiency
Identifying decreased functional protein C of acquired origin (eg, due to oral anticoagulant effect, vitamin K deficiency, liver disease, intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis/disseminated intravascular coagulation)
Specimen Type
Plasma Na CitOrdering Guidance
Coagulation testing is highly complex, often requiring the performance of multiple assays and correlation with clinical information. For that reason, consider ordering AATHR / Thrombophilia Profile, Plasma and Whole Blood.
Necessary Information
1. If the patient is being treated with Coumadin, this should be noted. Coumadin will lower protein C.
2. Heparin (unfractionated or low molecular weight) 2 U/mL or more may interfere with this assay.
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Platelet-poor plasma
Patient Preparation: Fasting
Collection Container/Tube: Light-blue top (3.2% sodium citrate)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. For complete instructions, see Coagulation Guidelines for Specimen Handling and Processing.
2. Centrifuge, transfer all plasma into a plastic vial, and centrifuge plasma again.
3. Aliquot plasma into a plastic vial leaving 0.25 mL in the bottom of centrifuged vial.
4. Freeze plasma immediately (no longer than 4 hours after collection) at -20° C or, ideally, at -40° C or below.
Additional Information:
1. Double-centrifuged specimen is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.
2. Each coagulation assay requested should have its own vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Na Cit | Frozen | 14 days |
Special Instructions
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
85303
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CFX | Protein C Activity, P | 27818-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CFX | Protein C Activity, P | 27818-4 |
Clinical Information
Physiology:
Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant proenzyme. It is synthesized in the liver and circulates in the plasma. The biological half-life of plasma protein C is approximately 6 to 10 hours, similar to the relatively short half-life of coagulation factor VII.
Protein C is activated by thrombin, in the presence of an endothelial cell cofactor (thrombomodulin), to form the active enzyme activated protein C (APC). APC functions as an anticoagulant by proteolytically inactivating the activated forms of coagulation factors V and VIII (factors Va and VIIIa). APC also enhances fibrinolysis by inactivating plasminogen activator inhibitor.
Expression of the anticoagulant activity of APC is enhanced by a cofactor, protein S, another vitamin K-dependent plasma protein.
Pathophysiology:
Congenital homozygous protein C deficiency results in a severe thrombotic diathesis, evident in the neonatal period and resembling purpura fulminans.
Congenital heterozygous protein C deficiency may predispose to thrombotic events, primarily venous thromboembolism; arterial thrombosis (stroke, myocardial infarction, etc.) may occur. Some individuals with hereditary heterozygous protein C deficiency may have no personal or family history of thrombosis and may or may not be at increased risk. Congenital heterozygous protein C may predispose to development of coumarin-associated skin necrosis. Skin necrosis has occurred during the initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy.
Two types of hereditary heterozygous protein C deficiency are recognized:
-Type I (concordantly decreased protein C function and antigen)
-Type II (decreased protein C function with normal antigen level)
Acquired deficiencies of protein C may occur in association with:
-Vitamin K deficiency
-Oral anticoagulation with coumarin compounds
-Liver disease
-Intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis/disseminated intravascular coagulation (ICF/DIC)
The clinical hemostatic significance of acquired protein C deficiency is uncertain.
Assay of protein C functional activity is recommended for the initial laboratory evaluation of patients suspected of having congenital protein C deficiency (personal or family history of thrombotic diathesis), rather than assay of protein C antigen.
Interpretation
Values below 60% to 70% may represent a congenital deficiency state, if acquired deficiencies can be excluded.
Protein C activity (and antigen) is generally undetectable in individuals with severe, homozygous protein C deficiency.
Oral anticoagulant therapy (warfarin, Coumadin) decreases protein C activity, compromising the ability to distinguish between congenital and acquired protein C deficiency. Concomitant measurement of the activity of coagulation factor VII (or factor X) may aid in differentiating congenital deficiency state from acquired protein C deficiency due to oral anticoagulant effect, but the ratio of the activities of protein C:factor VII (or factor X) has not been demonstrated to provide certainty about this distinction.
The clinical significance of acquired protein C deficiency and of increased protein C is unknown.
Clinical Reference
1. Mannucci PM, Owen WG: Basic and clinical aspects of proteins C and S. In: Bloom AL, Thomas DP, eds. Haemostasis and Thrombosis. 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone; 1987:452-464
2. Marlar RA, Mastovich S. Hereditary protein C deficiency: a review of the genetics, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 1990;1(3):319-330
3. Marlar RA, Montgomery RR, Broekmans AW. Diagnosis and treatment of homozygous protein C deficiency. Report of the Working Party on Homozygous Protein C Deficiency of the Subcommittee on Protein C and Protein S, International Committee on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. J Pediatr. 1989;114(4 Pt 1):528-534
4. Miletich J, Sherman L, Broze G Jr. Absence of thrombosis in subjects with heterozygous protein C deficiency. N Engl J Med. 1987;317(16):991-996
5. Pabinger I, Allaart CF, Hermans J, Briet E, Bertina RM. Hereditary protein C-deficiency: laboratory values in transmitters and guidelines for the diagnostic procedure. Report on a study of the SSC Subcommittee on Protein C and Protein S. Protein C Transmitter Study Group. Thromb Haemost. 1992;68(4):470-474
6. Cooper PC, Pavlova A, Moore GA, Hickey KP, Marlar RA. Recommendations for clinical laboratory testing for protein C deficiency, for the subcommittee on plasma coagulation inhibitors of the ISTH. J Thromb Haemost. 2020;18(2):271-277
7. Baron JM, Johnson SM, Ledford-Kraemer MR, Hayward CP, Meijer P, Van Cott EM. Protein C assay performance: an analysis of North American specialized coagulation laboratory association proficiency testing results. Am J Clin Pathol. 2012;137(6):909-15. doi:10.1309/AJCP8MWU4QSTCLPU
8. Roshan TM, Stein N, Jiang XY. Comparison of clot-based and chromogenic assay for the determination of protein c activity. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2019;30(4):156-160. doi:10.1097/MBC.0000000000000806
Report Available
1 to 3 daysMethod Name
Chromogenic
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Coagulation Test Request (T753) with the specimen.
Reference Values
70-150%
mml-coagulation-disorders