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Mixing studies are tests performed on blood plasma of patients or test subjects to distinguish factor deficiencies from factor inhibitors, such as lupus anticoagulant, or specific factor inhibitors, such as antibodies directed against factor VIII.[1] Mixing studies are screening tests widely performed in coagulation laboratories. The basic purpose of these tests is to determine the cause of prolongation of Prothrombin Time (PT), Partial Thromboplastin Time, or sometimes of thrombin time (TT). Mixing studies take advantage of the fact that factor levels that are 50 percent of normal should give a normal Prothrombin time (PT) or Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) result.[2] Factor deficient plasmas (Adsorbed Plasma and Aged Plasma, etc.) are used in mixing studies. Plasma with known factor deficiencies are commercially available but are very expensive, so they are often prepared in the laboratory and can then be used for mixing tests.
- ^ Lanzkowsky P (2005-06-06). Manual of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-049731-0.
- ^ Devreese KM (2007). "Interpretation of normal plasma mixing studies in the laboratory diagnosis of lupus anticoagulants". Thrombosis Research. 119 (3): 369–76. doi:10.1016/j.thromres.2006.03.012. PMID 16704874.