Activated partial thromboplastin time performed on capillary blood

Activated partial thromboplastin time is one of the most frequently used assay in haemostasis investigation, but sampling of venous blood is often difficult in newborns (as well as some adult patients). We analysed a method described by Zondag et al [9] performed on capillary blood samples. We studied normal adults and newborns, patients with liver diseases, and those receiving therapy with vitamin K antagonists and heparin. Capillary assay was correlated with venous blood in normal subjects, in patients with liver diseases and during therapy by vitamin K antagonists. However results both in newborns and adults during heparin therapy were not accurate.