Activated clotting time (ACT)

Keyword

Activated clotting time, ACT

Definition

The activated clotting time (ACT) measure of heparin anticoagulation

• Provides an alternative
• Albeit less sensitive
• Normal range : 80 ~ 120 seconds
• Subsequent heparin dosing for extracorporeal circulation (ECC) : ACT > 480sec
• Clinical condition에 따라 ACT test results 변화 다양
• Heparin dose에 따른 환자의 anticoagulation response 다양

(Variations in levels of heparin-binding proteins and AT(antithrombin) 때문)

-> ACT values 와 실제 actual heparin concentrations의 correlation은 poor

Several clinical variables can affect the ACT

Reference

Miller’s anesthesia, 8th edition, Chapter 62: Patient Blood Management: Coagulation, p.1873

Miller’s anesthesia, 8th edition, Chapter 67: Anesthesia for Cardiac Surgical Procedures, p.2016