Rapid centrifugation dramatically reduces the time for coagulation testing, leading to faster diagnoses and better patient care.

Speeding Up Coagulation Tests: How Rapid Centrifugation Can Save Time and Improve Patient Care

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a faster centrifugation technique for PT and APTT testing can significantly reduce turnaround time, benefiting critical care and outpatient settings."

In healthcare, time is of the essence, especially when dealing with patients who have coagulation disorders or are undergoing anticoagulation therapy. Prothrombin Time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests are crucial for monitoring these patients, but the traditional methods can be time-consuming.

One of the most significant bottlenecks in coagulation testing is sample processing, specifically centrifugation. Traditional centrifugation can take 15-30 minutes, delaying treatment and increasing the overall turnaround time (TAT) for results. This delay can be particularly problematic in critical care settings, emergency rooms, and operating theaters where quick decisions are vital.

But what if there was a way to speed up this process without compromising the accuracy of the results? Research has explored the use of rapid centrifugation techniques to reduce TAT for PT and APTT testing. This article delves into a study comparing rapid centrifugation with conventional methods, highlighting the potential benefits for both patients and healthcare providers.

Rapid Centrifugation: A Faster Approach to Coagulation Testing

Rapid centrifugation dramatically reduces the time for coagulation testing, leading to faster diagnoses and better patient care.

A recent study published in the Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion investigated whether a rapid centrifugation technique could provide comparable results to conventional centrifugation for PT and APTT testing. The study involved 300 paired samples from patients requiring PT and APTT estimations. One sample from each patient was processed using a regular benchtop centrifuge at 1500g for 20 minutes, while the other was divided into two aliquots and centrifuged in a microcentrifuge at 13000g for just 3 minutes.

The plasma obtained from both methods was then tested for PT and APTT using automated equipment. Researchers compared the results to determine if the rapid centrifugation method yielded accurate and reliable data.

The study focused on:

Comparing PT, INR, and APTT values obtained from both centrifugation methods.
Assessing the correlation between the two methods.
Evaluating the agreement between the methods using Bland-Altman plots.
Analyzing INR values across different therapeutic ranges.

The results showed that the mean PT, INR, and APTT values were comparable between the two centrifugation methods, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the study found a strong correlation (r > 0.98) between the two methods for PT, INR, and APTT. Bland-Altman analysis also demonstrated acceptable agreement between the rapid and conventional methods.

The Implications of Faster Turnaround Times

The study's findings suggest that rapid centrifugation is a safe and effective alternative to conventional centrifugation for routine coagulation testing. By reducing the centrifugation time from 20 minutes to just 3 minutes, laboratories can significantly decrease the overall turnaround time for PT and APTT results.

This reduction in TAT can have several important benefits, particularly in critical care settings where timely results are crucial for guiding treatment decisions. Faster results can lead to quicker diagnoses, more prompt initiation of therapy, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes. Additionally, reducing TAT can also benefit outpatients undergoing oral anticoagulant therapy, minimizing waiting times and improving their overall experience.

While this study focused on PT and APTT testing, the principles of rapid centrifugation could potentially be applied to other coagulation assays, further streamlining laboratory workflows and enhancing patient care. Further research may explore these implications.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s12288-018-0983-4, Alternate LINK

Title: Comparison Of Rapid Centrifugation Technique With Conventional Centrifugation For Prothrombin Time (Pt) And Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (Aptt) Testing

Subject: Hematology

Journal: Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Ekta Chandler, Naveen Kakkar, Rupinder Kaur

Published: 2018-07-16

Everything You Need To Know

How does rapid centrifugation accelerate coagulation testing, and what are its benefits?

Rapid centrifugation reduces the time required for processing blood samples for coagulation tests like PT and APTT. This involves using a microcentrifuge at a high speed (13000g) for a short duration (3 minutes) instead of the traditional benchtop centrifuge at a lower speed (1500g) for a longer time (20 minutes). By significantly cutting down the centrifugation time, healthcare providers can receive PT and APTT results much faster, leading to quicker clinical decisions and improved patient care, particularly in critical settings like emergency rooms.

What are PT and APTT tests, and why are they important in patient care?

PT, or Prothrombin Time, assesses the extrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade. APTT, or Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, evaluates the intrinsic and common pathways. Both tests are vital for monitoring patients on anticoagulation therapy, such as warfarin (affecting PT/INR) or heparin (affecting APTT), and for diagnosing bleeding disorders. The tests measure how long it takes for a clot to form in a plasma sample after specific reagents are added. INR, or International Normalized Ratio, is a standardized way of expressing PT results, ensuring consistency across different laboratories.

What were the key findings of the study comparing rapid and conventional centrifugation methods for PT and APTT testing?

The study compared PT, INR, and APTT values obtained using both rapid and conventional centrifugation methods. Researchers analyzed the correlation between the two methods, assessed agreement using Bland-Altman plots, and evaluated INR values across different therapeutic ranges. The key finding was that there was no statistically significant difference in the mean PT, INR, and APTT values between the two methods (p > 0.05), indicating that rapid centrifugation yields comparable results to conventional methods. This means clinical decisions based on rapid centrifugation are as reliable as those based on traditional methods.

What are the implications of faster turnaround times for PT and APTT results on patient care and clinical decision-making?

Faster turnaround times for PT and APTT results due to rapid centrifugation can significantly enhance patient care, especially in critical care and emergency settings. Quicker results enable healthcare providers to make faster decisions regarding anticoagulation management, reducing the risk of complications such as bleeding or thrombosis. This is particularly beneficial for patients undergoing surgery or those with acute thrombotic events. Rapid results can also improve efficiency in outpatient settings, allowing for more timely adjustments to medication dosages and reducing the need for repeated clinic visits.

What aspects of coagulation testing were not addressed in the study, and what further research could be conducted?

While the study demonstrates the effectiveness of rapid centrifugation for PT and APTT testing, it does not delve into its applicability for other coagulation tests, such as fibrinogen levels, D-dimer assays, or factor assays. Further research could explore whether rapid centrifugation is suitable for these additional tests. Additionally, the study focuses on automated coagulation analyzers; investigation into the compatibility of rapid centrifugation with manual testing methods would broaden its applicability. Evaluating the impact of different anticoagulants (e.g., direct oral anticoagulants) on rapid centrifugation results would also be valuable.