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→Activated Clotting Time
===Activated Clotting Time===
===Activated Clotting Time===
The activated clotting time (ACT) allows rapid evaluation of secondary haemostasis. The ACT is the time taken for 2ml of fresh whole blood to clot in a tube with a contact activator (diatomaceous earth<sup>2</sup>), but an automated analyser can perform a test with a similar principle. The reaction must occur at body temperature to give a reliable indication of haemostatic ability: this can be achieved by the use of a warm water bath, or by holding the tubes under an arm. The normal ACT is 90-120 seconds and less than 75 seconds in dogs and cats respectively<sup>2</sup>.
The activated clotting time (ACT) allows rapid evaluation of secondary haemostasis. The ACT is the time taken for 2ml of fresh whole blood to clot in a tube with a contact activator (diatomaceous earth<sup>2</sup>), but an automated analyser can perform a test with a similar principle. The reaction must occur at body temperature to give a reliable indication of haemostatic ability: this can be achieved by the use of a warm water bath, or in an emergency by holding the tubes under an arm. The normal ACT is 90-120 seconds and <75 seconds in dogs and cats respectively<sup>2</sup>.
The contact activator used in the ACT test triggers the intrinsic pathway, and so ACT allows assessment of the intrinsic and common pathways. ACT will therefore be prolonged when factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI or XII are deficient or abnormal, such as in DIC, liver disease, vitamin K antagonist toxicosis or haemophilia A or B<sup>2</sup>. Thrombocytopenia may also increase ACT.
The contact activator used in the ACT test triggers the intrinsic pathway, and so ACT allows assessment of the intrinsic and common pathways. ACT will therefore be prolonged when factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI or XII are deficient or abnormal, such as in DIC, liver disease, vitamin K antagonist toxicosis or haemophilia A or B<sup>2</sup>. Thrombocytopenia may also increase ACT.