Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

0.5 ml plasma from light green top tube

Testing
Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Reference Range:

Quintile     CRP mg/L        Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
   1         < 0.7           Lowest Risk
   2         0.7 - 1.1       Low Risk
   3         1.2 - 1.9       Moderate Risk
   4         2.0 - 3.8       High Risk
   5         3.9 - 15.0      Highest Risk
> 15.0 mg/L:  When Highly Sensitive CRP is greater than 15.0 mg/L, risk 
analysis may be confounded by recent or acute inflammatory disease.  
Therefore, the risk for coronary heart disease cannot be provided for 
this patient.  A repeat specimen, taken two weeks after resolution of 
any acute inflammatory condition, may allow provision of coronary risk 
information.

References:
1.  Ridker, P.M. et al. 2000. N Engl J Med. 342;836-843.
2.  Rifai N. and Ridker, P.M. 2001. Clin Chem. 47; 403-411.
3.  Ridker, P.M. et al. 2002. N Engl J Med. 347;1557-1565.

Methodology:

Turbidometric method utilizing latex particles coated with CRP 
monoclonal antibodies.

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into screw-capped plastic vial.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport
Instructions:

Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place coolant packs on top of specimen in styrofoam container.
Coolant packs up to 8 hours.

CPT Code:

86141