Clotting Time

Clotting Time (CT) is a functional assay used to evaluate the intrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade. It measures the time required for blood to form a stable fibrin clot outside the body. While historically used as a primary screen, it remains relevant in resource-limited settings or specific bedside monitoring. A prolonged CT indicates deficiencies in clotting factors (specifically factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII) or the presence of circulating anticoagulants like heparin. In the context of the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time panel, it helps differentiate between platelet-related disorders (prolonged bleeding time) and coagulation factor deficiencies (prolonged clotting time).