Czas protrombinowy

What is prothrombin time?

Prothrombin time is a measure of the extrinsic pathway of activation of prothrombin. It depends on the activity of factors II, V, VII, X, and fibrinogen.
Prothrombin time is used in the detection of deficiencies of the of the aforementioned plasma clotting factors, both congenital and acquired, as well as vitamin K deficiencies, or the use of antivitamin K in anticoagulant treatment (oral anticoagulants), liver diseases associated with impaired protein synthesis proteins, coagulopathies from wear and tear.

Prothrombin time results

The result is presented as the INR - the international normalized ratio. This allows the comparison of values obtained in different laboratories, which is particularly important when when monitoring treatment with oral anticoagulants.

• Prothrombin time   shortened (INR reduced, index elevated) - hypercoagulable state, disease embolic-thrombotic disease.
• Prothrombin time prolonged (INR elevated, index lowered) - congenital deficiencies of factors II, V, VII, X, diseases of the Liver, vitamin K deficiencies, gastrointestinal diseases.