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Test Code 00092 TEG (Thrombelastograph)

Additional Codes

TEG (Heparin/LMWH therapy) = LAB5698

TEG (No heparin/LMWH therapy) = LAB5699

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital - Coagulation

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: No special patient preparation is required. However, if possible, please call lab at 314-454-4268 at least 2 hours prior to collection to notify them that a specimen will be sent.

Container/Tube  
Preferred/Acceptable: Light blue-top (Citrate) tube (1.8 or 2.7 mL)
Collection Volume: Tube should be full 

(Full is to marking on tube label. MINIMUM tube volume for collection is to marking on tube label but may go above line) 

Submission Container/Tube: Specimen should not be sent from outside facility
Special Instructions: 

1.

Draw a discard tube prior to light-blue top tube.

2.

Tube(s) should remain stoppered.

3.

Immediately invert tube gently 8-10 times after collection to ensure proper mixing of blood and anticoagulant (this will avoid specimen clotting). Deliver promptly at ambient temperature only. Do NOT send thru pneumatic tube system

4.

DO NOT underfill tube(s)

5.

SPECIMEN MAY NOT BE COLLECTED BY CAPILLARY METHOD
6. Blood should not be obtained through a heparinized access line, lock, or indewelling heparin lock.

7.

If the patient has a known hematocrit >55%, contact the lab at 314-454-4268 for collection instructions and a specially adjusted collection tube(s).

Sample Rejection

Vacutainer®(s) that are under-filled.

Clotted specimens.

Grossly hemolyzed specimens.

Specimen sent in microtainer

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimens.

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Sunday
Cut-off time: None; performed as received
Turnaround Time: Same day; 1-2 hours from receipt in performing lab

Reference Values

Reference Interval: (all ages)

Reaction TIme (R) 5.0-10.0 min
Clot Time (K) 1.0-3.0 min
Angle (A) 53.0o-72.0o
Max Amp (MA) 50.0-70.0 mm
G para (G) 4.5-11.0 kd/sc                                                
Lysis 30 ≤ 8.0%

Critical Value: 

Reaction TIme (R) <or=3.0  OR  >or=14.0 min
Clot Time (K) <0.5 min  OR  >or=6.0 min
Angle (A) <or=35.0o  OR  >or=80.0o
Max Amp (MA) <or=35.0 mm  OR  >or=90.0 mm
G para (G) <or=3.0 kd/sc  OR  >or=14.0 kd/sc                        
Lysis 30 ≥ 15.0%

Critical test results will automatically be called back initially and every 72 hours thereafter

Methodology

Electro-Mechanical Clot Detection

Limitations

  • Interfering substances: the TEG may be affected by hemodilution, cardioplegia solutions, hypothermia, platelet dysfunction, hypofibrinogenemia, or other coagulopathies, and certain medications.
  • Test results that do not agree with expected values should be verified and thereafter evaluated by alternative diagnostic means.

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: DO NOT SPIN. GIve specimen directly to coagulation bench
Processed Volume: Blood level should be to line on label (may be over)
Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature    Time
Whole Blood (unprocessed)  Ambient 2 hours
   Refrigerated  not acceptable
  Frozen   not acceptable   

Test Classification and CPT Code

85396

LOINC

NA

Last Reviewed

07/2025