Partial Thromboplastin Time

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, APTT (Activated Parital Thromboplastin Time), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)

Test Overview

Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes your blood to clot. A PTT test can be used to check for bleeding problems.

About 12 blood clotting factors are needed for blood to clot (coagulation). The partial thromboplastin time is an important test because the time it takes your blood to clot may be affected by:

• Blood-thinning medicine, such as heparin. Another test, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test, is a better test to find out if the right dose of heparin is being used.
• Low levels of blood clotting factors.
• A change in the activity of any of the clotting factors.
• The absence of any of the clotting factors.
• Other substances, called inhibitors, that affect the clotting factors.
• An increase in the use of the clotting factors.

Another blood clotting test, called prothrombin time (PT), measures other clotting factors. Partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time are often done at the same time to check for bleeding problems caused by a problem with the clotting factors.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated September 25, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology
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