Anti-Factor Xa Assay
February 15th, 2021
Overview
Important Lab Points
- Measures the level of anti-Xa activity in a sample.
- Performed by adding a known amount of factor Xa to a plasma sample and then measuring the residual Xa level; this is inversely proportional to the amount of anti-Xa activity.
- The result is measured against a curve specific to the medication being monitored - e.g. low molecular weight heparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, fondaparinux or danaparoid.
Practical Points
- The factor Xa level may be used to monitor the efficacy of medications that inhibit factor Xa, such as low molecular weight heparins, rivaroxaban, apixaban, fondaparinux and danaparoid.
- Monitoring of low molecular weight heparins (enoxaparin / dalteparin) using factor Xa is not routine and is reserved for specific circumstances such as renal impairment, pregnancy or obesity.
- Monitoring of factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban / apixaban), fondaparinux and danaparoid is generally not performed except in certain circumstances as guided by a haematologist.
- The target range depends on the medication, dose and frequency.
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