The Effect of Polybrene on an aPTT-based Lupus Anticoagulant Test in the Plasma of Patients Receiving Unfractionated Heparin

Objective: Heparins can interfere with lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing, especially when the detection assays do not contain a heparin neutralizer. In this study we evaluated whether hexadimethrine bromide commonly known as polybrene was able to neutralize effects of unfractionated (UFH) on activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)-based LA determination. Material and Methods: The influence aPTT-based testing results 14 patients receiving UFH therapy studied. Measurements were performed using Dade Actin FSL (aPTT-LA screen) FS confirm) reagents Sysmex CS-1600 analyzer. aPTT-LA screen/confirm ratios before after treatments compared. Results: treatment affected ratio in four patterns, 1) no coagulation (NC code), 2) false positive, 3) low, 4) unchanged interpretation. After adding patient plasmas, returned nearly baseline without positive or negative results. Conclusion: best practice for should be done outside therapies, but if necessary, tests by proper concentration polybrene.