PTT
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Partial thromboplastin time |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Technology & Computing |
PTT has two meanings. It stands for Partial thromboplastin time (laboratory test) or Push-to-talk (telecom).
Meanings of PTT at a glance
| # | PTT stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partial thromboplastin time | Medical › Laboratory Test |
| 2 | Push-to-talk | Technology & Computing › Telecom |
1. Partial thromboplastin time
Medical · Laboratory Test Abbreviations
Clotting test of the intrinsic and common pathways (factors XII, XI, IX, VIII, X, V, II and fibrinogen), measured in seconds. In everyday use "PTT" almost always means the activated version (aPTT), ordered to monitor unfractionated heparin, investigate bleeding and screen for hemophilia or lupus anticoagulant.
Example: PTT 96 seconds on the heparin drip; decrease the rate per protocol and recheck in six hours.
The test is "partial" because its reagent contains phospholipid without tissue factor, the other component of complete thromboplastin. A prolonged result is followed by a mixing study: if adding normal plasma corrects the time, a factor deficiency is likely; if it does not, an inhibitor such as lupus anticoagulant or an acquired factor VIII antibody is suspected.
2. Push-to-talk
Technology & Computing · Telecom Abbreviations · also used in texting
Walkie-talkie style communication in which users hold a button to speak to one person or a group instantly, without dialing. It is used by first responders, construction and logistics crews and through apps such as Zello.
Example: The delivery team uses PTT on their rugged phones to coordinate pickups.
Nextel made push-to-talk famous in the late 1990s and 2000s with its Direct Connect service and distinctive chirp; Sprint shut the underlying iDEN network in 2013. Modern versions run over LTE and 5G as push-to-talk over cellular, including mission-critical PTT for public-safety networks. PTT also historically referred to state "post, telegraph and telephone" agencies in Europe.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- POCT – Point-of-care testing
- PSA – Prostate-specific antigen
- PT – Prothrombin time
- PT/INR – Prothrombin time with international normalized ratio
- QNS – Quantity not sufficient
- RADT – Rapid antigen detection test
- RBC – Red blood cell count
- RDW – Red cell distribution width
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
More telecom abbreviations
- PBX – Private branch exchange
- PON – Passive optical network
- POTS – Plain old telephone service
- PSTN – Public switched telephone network
- PUK – PIN Unblocking Key
- QAM – Quadrature amplitude modulation
- RAN – Radio access network
- RCS – Rich Communication Services
See all 114 telecom abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.