Platelet Aggregation Studies (Blood)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Haematology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

CMSC

Test Code (Numeric Code)

1849

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

  • Collection of samples is by arrangement with the Haemostasis laboratory. ext. 22069.
  • Collect 5x 2.7ml Citrate tubes (Blue Cap).
  • Samples cannot be collected off-site. Scheduled patients from external laboratories should go to Level 6 Phlebotomy, Auckland City Hospital with request form.

    Transport

  • Samples MUST NOT be transported through the Lamson tube.
  • All samples must be hand delivered to coagulation section immediately. Send a copy of the request form and citrate tubes directly to the coagulation department in a plastic laboratory sample bag.
  • These samples must not be spun.
  • Label barrel of tubes with a Yellow PFA sticker.

    Registration

    Please register test code CMSC.

    Sample Stability

  • 2-hours.
  • Rejection Criteria: Samples > 2-hours old when received. This is to provide sufficient time for laboratory scientists to complete evaluation within the 4-hour testing window.

    • Synonyms

    Platelet Agg
    Clopidogrel

    Turnaround Time

    1 day

    Specimen Type

    • Whole Blood

    Specimen Requirements

    Tube/Container Type:

    Preferred
    • Citrate (Blue Cap)
    Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

    2.7

    No of Samples Required

    5

    Paediatric Specimen Requirements

    Tube/Container Type:

    Preferred
    • Please refer to Additional Information below
    Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

    3

    Pre-testing Requirements


    Requires pre-approval by a Haematologist except for samples from the Haemophilia Centre.

    Patients for platelet aggregation tests should avoid taking any prescription or over the counter medications known to affect platelet function for 10 days to 2 weeks prior to test. Commonly prescribed medications affecting platelet function include:
    Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
    Other anti-platelet agents e.g clopidogrel, ticagrelor, tirofibran, dipyridamole
    Tricyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, nortriptyline
    SSRIs e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline
    Beta-blockers e.g. metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol
    Calcium channel blockers e.g. amlodipine
    Beta-lactam antibiotics e.g. penicillin, cephalosporins
    Proteasome inhibitors e.g. bortezomib
    Sodium valproate

    Additional Specimen Information

    Collection of samples is by arrangement with the Haemostasis laboratory. ext. 22069.
    5 freshly collected citrate tubes are required. These MUST NOT be transported through the Lamson tube.
    Samples cannot be collected off-site. Scheduled patients from external laboratories should go to Level 6 Phlebotomy, Auckland City Hospital with request form.
    For gene testing please refer to CYP2C19, CYP450 Genotype (link below).

    Last updated: 26/08/2026