Q: The Activated Clotting Time (ACT) is essentially a point of care test (POC) of coagulation that is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of unfractionated heparin. (PTT is a 'send down' lab test). What is the ACT value in a non-anticoagulated patient? 


 Answer: In a non-anticoagulated patient, the ACT is in the region of 110s. During cardiopulmonary bypass, heparin is titrated to maintain an ACT between 400 to 600s. During ECMO, recommended value is between 200 and 240s