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Test Code
ACHE
Test Name
Acetylcholinesterase
CPT Codes
82013
Expected Turnaround Time
4 - 12 days
Clinical Utility

Analysis of midtrimester amniotic fluid for detection of open neural tube defects and ventral wall defects.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: Amniotic Fluid

Collection Container: Sterile, Non-additive Container

Desired Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions
  1. Collect amniotic fluid in a sterile plastic conical tube.
  2. Avoid contamination of amniotic fluid with maternal or fetal blood. As little as one drop of fetal blood can cause false-positive results during assay of amniotic fluid.
Processing and Submission Instructions

**Requires Integrated Genetics Test Requisition**

  1. Transport 3 mL of amniotic fluid in the original collection container.
  2. Include the gestational age by ultrasound and/or last menstrual period (LMP) on the request form.
Patient Preparation

The patient should have undergone ultrasound studies to verify fetal viability, detect multiple gestation, confirm gestational age, localize placenta, and detect fetal and uterine pathology.

The patient's gestational age must be at least 13 weeks for accurate AChE detection. Optimal gestational age is 14 to 18 weeks.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

7 days

Refrigerated

7 days
Causes for Rejection
  • Conical tubes with rubber stoppers
  • Gross contamination of amniotic fluid with maternal or fetal blood
Methodology
Acrylamide gel electrophoresis; isoelectric focusing (IEF)
Reference Intervals

See patient report.
Alternate Names
  • Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Amniotic Fluid With Reflex to Fetal Hemoglobin (Hb F)
  • AChE
  • Amniotic Fluid With Reflex to Hb F
Reference Lab
Labcorp Of America Holdings
Testing Schedule
Routine, 2 times per week
Reflex Tests
FHERX
What triggers the reflex testing
The reflex to fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) will be performed, if necessary, to ascertain false elevations of amniotic fluid AFP.
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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