Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin, Serum
Test Mnemonic
PIVKA
CPT Codes
- 83951 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
34444-0
Aliases
- PIVKA II
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Refrigerated | Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into standard aliquot tube. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated | Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into standard aliquot tube. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: 1 week |
| Frozen | After separation from cells: 3 weeks (Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |
| Ambient | After separation from cells: 8 hours |
Days Performed
Mon, Thu
Turnaround Time
2 - 6 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Liquid Chromatography/Immunoassay |
Reference Range
| Pivka II | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Normal | 0.0 - 7.4 | ng/mL |
Special Info
Plasma is unacceptable. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
The µTASWako method is used. Results obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably. The des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) assay is intended as a risk assessment for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver diseases. Elevated DCP values have been shown to be associated with an increased risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with elevated serum DCP should be more intensely evaluated for evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.