Synonym/Acronym:
N/A.

Common Use:
To assist in the diagnosis of bleeding disorders.

Specimen:
Whole blood collected in a full 5-mL red-top tube.

Normal Findings:
(Method: Macroscopic observation of sample) A normal clot, gently separated from the side of the test tube and incubated at 37°C, shrinks to about half of its original size within 1 hr. The result is a firm, cylindrical fibrin clot that contains red blood cells and is sharply demarcated from the clear serum. Complete clot retraction can take 6 to 24 hr.