Albumin decline corroborates physiological prothrombin time prolongation in the elderly.

Isolated Prolonged Prothrombin Time Correlates with Serum Immunoglobulin Levels in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

A subset of hemophilia B patients have a prolonged bovine-brain prothrombin time. These CRM+ patients are classified as having hemophilia Bm. The prolongation of the prothrombin time has been reported only with bovine brain (referred to as ox brain in some literature) as the source of thromboplastin; prothrombin times determined with thromboplastin from rabbit brain or human brain are not reported to be prolonged. Factor IX from a hemophilia Bm patient (factor IX Hilo) was isolated. The activity of factor IX Hilo was compared to that of normal factor IX in prothrombin time assays when the thromboplastin source was of bovine, rabbit, or human origin. Factor IX, either normal or Hilo, prolonged a prothrombin time regardless of the tissue factor source. However, unless thromboplastin was from a bovine source, this prolongation required high concentrations of factor IX. Further, factor IX normal was as effective as factor IX Hilo in prolonging the prothrombin time when rabbit or human thromboplastin was used. With bovine thromboplastin, factor IX Hilo was significantly better than factor IX normal at prolonging the prothrombin time. The amount of prolongation was dependent on the amount of factor IX Hilo added. In addition, the prolongation was dependent on the concentration of factor X present in the sample. The prothrombin time changed as much as 20 seconds when the factor X concentration was varied from 50% to 150% to normal (fixed concentration of factor IX Hilo). These results demonstrate the difficulty of classifying the severity of a hemophilia Bm patient based on the bovine brain prothrombin time unless both the factor IX and factor X concentrations are known.

AIM: To determine whether freezing, freeze drying protective additives, or freeze drying of plasma samples from patients on coumarin treatment and from normal individuals affects prothrombin times or the international...

ABSTRACTObjectives: Limited evidence has suggested that cefoperazone-sulbactam causes coagulation disorders and bleeding.Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective study to compare patients receiving cefoperazone-sulbactam versus those treated with cefoperazone-tazobactam or ceftazidime. Propensity-score matching was used to explore whether treatment with cefoperazone-sulbactam increased the risk of prothrombin time (PT) prolongation, coagulation disorders, and bleeding, or decreased platelets (PLT).Results: The cohort included 23,242 patients. Among patients receiving cefoperazone-sulbactam, the risk of PT prolongation, coagulation disorders, decreased PLT, and bleeding was 5.3%, 9.2%, 15.7%, and 4.2%, respectively. Propensity-score matching analyses suggested that cefoperazone-sulbactam increased the risk of PT prolongation (aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.61–3.18), coagulation disorders (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.43–2.30), and decreased PLT (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.25–1.72), but not increase bleeding (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 0.79–1.40) compared with ceftazidime. Patients receiving cefoperazone-sulbactam had higher risk of PT prolongation (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.11–2.10), coagulation disorders (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.21–1.95), but not decreased PLT (aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.81–1.07) or bleeding (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.87–1.42), compared with those receiving cefoperazone-tazobactam.Conclusion: Cefoperazone-sulbactam may be associated with a higher risk of PT prolongation and coagulation disorders compared with cefoperazone-tazobactam and ceftazidime.

Patients presenting for surgery may have isolated or combined prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and/or prothrombin time (PT). In patients not receiving anticoagulants or with no identifiable cause for abnormal clot formation, a mixing study is performed. The index of circulating anticoagulant (ICA) has been used to predict the presence of an inhibitor, usually a lupus anticoagulant. We retrospectively reviewed the results of mixing studies performed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, between January 1, 2010 and February 29, 2012. We determined the number of samples that normalized or remained prolonged, the clotting factors associated with prolonged test results, and the presence of coagulation inhibitors. We calculated the ICA in the samples with prolonged aPTT and PT to determine its ability to predict a lupus anticoagulant. The primary comparison of interest was the diagnostic utility of the ICA at cutoff values of 11% for predicting the presence of lupus anticoagulant. There were 269 mixing studies performed: 131 samples with prolonged aPTT; 95 with prolonged PT; and 43 with both prolonged aPTT and prolonged PT. Of the samples with a prolonged aPTT, 55 of 131 (42%) normalized, 36 of 131 (27%) partially corrected, and 40 of 131 (31%) remained prolonged. Thirty-three of 95 samples (35%) with prolonged PT normalized, while 62 of 95 (65%) remained prolonged. Eight of 43 (19%) mixing studies of patients with prolonged PT and aPTT normalized; the aPTT normalized, but the PT remained prolonged in 17 of 43 (39%); the PT normalized, but the aPTT remained prolonged in 7 of 43 (16%); and both tests remained prolonged in 11 of 43 (26%) samples. Prolongations in the aPTT were primarily associated with low activities of CF XII, while the majority of the prolongations in PT were secondary to low activities in CF VII. Combined prolongations were secondary to deficiencies in both the intrinsic and extrinsic as well as the common pathways. An ICA >11% had 100% (95% CI, 59%-100%) sensitivity, 53% (95% CI, 35%-70%) specificity, and 77% (95% CI, 62%-92%) accuracy in predicting the presence of lupus anticoagulant in patients with prolonged aPTT. Normalization of the aPTT and PT in a mixing study was associated with low clotting factor activity. The ICA may be helpful in predicting the presence of a lupus anticoagulant. As anesthesiologists take ownership of the perioperative surgical home, we need to understand the clinical implications of the results of mixing studies.

### Mechanism of Action of Coumarin Anticoagulant Drugs Warfarin, a coumarin derivative, produces an anticoagulant effect by interfering with the cyclic interconversion of vitamin K and its 2,3 epoxide (vitamin K epoxide). Vitamin K is a cofactor for the carboxylation of glutamate residues to γ-carboxyglutamates (Gla) on the N-terminal regions of vitamin K–dependent proteins (Figure 1).1–6 These proteins, which include the coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X, require γ-carboxylation by vitamin K for biological activity. By inhibiting the vitamin K conversion cycle, warfarin induces hepatic production of partially decarboxylated proteins with reduced coagulant activity.7,8 Figure 1. The vitamin K cycle and its link to carboxylation of glutamic acid residues on vitamin K–dependent coagulation proteins. Vitamin K1 obtained from food sources is reduced to vitamin KH2 by a warfarin-resistant vitamin K reductase. Vitamin KH2 is then oxidized to vitamin K epoxide (Vit KO) in a reaction that is coupled to carboxylation of glutamic acid residues on coagulation factors. This carboxylation step renders the coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X and the anticoagulant factors protein C and protein S functionally active. Vit KO is then reduced to Vit K1 in a reaction catalyzed by vitamin KO reductase. By inhibiting vitamin KO reductase, warfarin blocks the formation of vitamin K1 and vitamin KH2, thereby removing the substrate (vitamin KH2) for the carboxylation of glutamic acids. Vitamin K1, either given therapeutically or derived from food sources, can overcome the effect of warfarin by bypassing the warfarin-sensitive vitamin KO reductase step in the formation of vitamin KH2. Carboxylation promotes binding of the vitamin K–dependent coagulation factors to phospholipid surfaces, thereby accelerating blood coagulation.9–11 γ-Carboxylation requires the reduced form of vitamin K (vitamin KH2). Coumarins block the formation of vitamin KH2 by inhibiting the …

Edoxaban, an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor, has a similar or low incidence of bleeding events compared with other anticoagulants in clinical trials. Therefore, agents to reverse the anticoagulant effects of edoxaban could be desirable in emergency situations. In this study, the reversal effects of haemostatic agents were determined on prothrombin time (PT) prolongation in vitro and bleeding time prolongation in vivo by edoxaban. PT using human plasma was measured in the presence of edoxaban at therapeutic and excess concentrations with the haemostatic agents, prothrombin complex concentrate (PPSB-HT), activated prothrombin complex concentrate (Feiba), and recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). In rats, rFVIIa and Feiba was given during intensive anticoagulation with edoxaban. The haemostatic effect was evaluated in a model of planta template bleeding and a potential prothrombotic effect was evaluated in a venous thrombosis model. PPSB-HT, Feiba, and rFVIIa concentration-dependently shortened PT prolonged by edoxaban. Among these, rFVIIa and Feiba showed potent activities in reversing the PT prolongation by edoxaban. rFVIIa (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.v.) and Feiba (100 U/kg, i.v.) significantly reversed edoxaban (1 mg/kg/h)-induced prolongation of bleeding time in rats. In a rat venous thrombosis model, no potentiation of thrombus formation was observed when the highest dose (3 mg/kg) of rFVIIa was added to edoxaban (0.3 and 1 mg/kg/h) compared with the control. The present study indicated that rFVIIa, Feiba, and PPSB-HT have the potential to be reversal agents for edoxaban.

In trauma patients with significant hemorrhage, it is hypothesized that failure to normalize prothrombin time (PT) after recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) treatment predicts poor clinical outcomes and potentially indicates a need for additional therapeutic interventions. To assess the value of PT to predict outcomes after rFVIIa or placebo therapy, we performed a post hoc analysis of data from 169 severely injured, critically bleeding trauma patients who had 1-hour postdose PT measurements from two randomized clinical trials. Baseline characteristics and outcome parameters were compared between subjects with 1-hour postdose PT >or=18 seconds and PT <18 seconds. In rFVIIa-treated subjects, prolonged postdose PT values >or=18 seconds were associated with significantly higher 24-hour mortality (60% vs. 3%; p < 0.001) and 30-day mortality, increased incidence of massive transfusion, and fewer intensive care unit-free days compared with postdose PT values <18 seconds. Recombinant rFVIIa-treated subjects with postdose PT >or=18 seconds had significantly lower baseline hemoglobin levels, fibrinogen levels, and platelet counts than subjects with postdose PT values <18 seconds even though they received similar amounts of blood products before rFVIIa dosing. Placebo-treated subjects with postdose PT >or=18 seconds had significantly increased incidence of massive transfusion, significantly decreased intensive care unit-free days, and significantly lower levels of fibrinogen and platelets at baseline compared with subjects with postdose PT values <18 seconds. The presence of prolonged PT after rFVIIa or placebo therapy was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Because subjects with postdosing PT >or=18 seconds had low levels of hemoglobin, fibrinogen, and platelets, this group may benefit from additional blood component therapy.

Background: Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy is a common clinical issue, affecting a significant proportion of women. Coagulation abnormalities such as prolonged prothrombin time (PT), elevated international normalized ratio (INR), and altered platelet count may play a role in the severity of bleeding and pregnancy outcomes. However, the relationship between coagulation parameters and early pregnancy complications remains inadequately explored. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate PT, INR, and platelet count in women with first-trimester vaginal bleeding and examine their association with pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at Madhubani Medical College and Hospital, Madhubani, Bihar, over a period of two years. A total of 115 women presenting with vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy were included. Coagulation parameters, including PT, INR, and platelet count, were assessed, and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes (viable pregnancy, threatened miscarriage, and complete miscarriage) was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied, with a significance level set at p &lt; 0.05. Results: The mean PT was 13.6 ± 1.4 sec, INR was 1.08 ± 0.12, and platelet count was 198.5 ± 48.3 × 10?/L. Women with a history of miscarriage had significantly higher PT and INR values compared to those without. Coagulation abnormalities (prolonged PT or INR &gt;1.2) were observed in 16.5% of participants. A higher incidence of coagulation abnormalities was found in women presenting at later gestational weeks (10–12 weeks). Platelet count was inversely related to the severity of bleeding, with lower platelet counts observed in women with severe bleeding. Conclusion: Coagulation abnormalities, particularly prolonged PT and elevated INR, were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with first-trimester vaginal bleeding. Additionally, lower platelet counts were linked to increased bleeding severity. Early assessment of coagulation parameters can help predict pregnancy outcomes and guide clinical management. Recommendations: Routine assessment of coagulation parameters should be considered in women presenting with first-trimester vaginal bleeding to identify those at higher risk for adverse outcomes. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to explore the causal relationship between coagulation abnormalities and early pregnancy complications. Keywords: First-trimester bleeding, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, platelet count, pregnancy outcomes.

Consequences of abnormal hemostasis tests for clinical practice.

Untreated coeliac disease may induce malabsorption of many nutrients. It may also induce vitamin K deficiency, which causes prolongation of the prothrombin time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and associations of prolonged prothrombin time in a series of coeliac adults. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of data collected on 390 adults with untreated coeliac disease diagnosed from January 1997 to December 2000. Prolonged prothrombin time was defined as INR > or = 1.4. A prolonged prothrombin time was found in 72 coeliac patients (18.5%). Parenteral vitamin K therapy was required in 5.6% of patients. Patients with prolonged prothrombin time had significant lower values of haemoglobin, iron, proteins, cholesterol and serum aspartate transaminase, and significantly higher prevalence of diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal pain and low bone mineral density in comparison with patients with normal prothrombin time. However, low bone density was present in 11.6% of patients with normal INR. A prolonged prothrombin time was only found in a few patients with subclinical coeliac disease (0.9%). Data indicate that the prevalence of prolonged prothrombin time is about 20% in a large series of adult untreated coeliac patients. A prolonged prothrombin time was significantly related to all the markers of severe malabsorption, including low mineral density. Our suggestion is that vitamin K related proteins may also play a role in determining or worsening calcium homeostasis disorders in coeliac disease. The very low prevalence of coagulation disorders in subclinical coeliac disease indicates that there is no need to screen for coeliac disease in patients with isolated coagulation disorders.

In reply:

The extract from the venom sac of Vespa orientalis (VSE) inactivates exogenous and endogenous thromboplastin (Joshua and Ishay, Toxicon, 13:11-20,1975). The prolongation of both prothrombin time (PT) and recalcification time suggests inactivation of other factors. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of VSE on clotting factors. A lyophilized VSE with protein concentration of 5 mg/ml was used. Studies were performed in vitro with human plasma and in vivo in cats. Routine methods were employed for the assay of PT, activated tissue thromboplastin (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), fibrinogen and factors V,VII,VIII,IX,X. Human plasma was incubated with various concentrations of VSE (0,1,5,10,50,100 μg/ml) for 60 min and for various incubation times (0,5,15,30,+ 60,90,120 min) with 50 μg/ml VSE (n=8). 1 μg/ml VSE prolonged PT from 13.5 to 16 sec (p&lt;0.05) and APTT from 62 to 180 sec. PT was maximal (17.7 sec) with 10 μg/ml and APTT (442 sec) with 50 μg/ml VSE. Factors V,VII,X decreased gradually from 94-105% to 11%,11% and 29% with 100 μg/ml VSE and VIII and IX to 1% even with 1 μg/ml VSE. After 5 min with constant concentration of VSE (50 μg/ml) PT was 14.9 sec (normal 13 sec) and APTT 165 sec (normal 54 sec). Both were maximal (17.5 and 298 sec) after 60 min. Factors VII and X decreased to 13% and 32% and VIII and IX to &gt;1% after 60 min of incubation. Injection of 5 mg/kg VSE to cats (n=6-8) resulted in prolongation of PT from 9.4 to 11.2 sec and of APTT from 19.5 to 63 sec after 5 min. Both were maximal after 90 min (12.3 and 127 sec). Factors V,VII and X decreased from 100% to 7.6%, 13% and 37% and VIII and IX to 1% after 10 min. In all experiments TT and plasma fibrinogen were not affected and FDP were normal. Heating of VSE for 5 min at 80°C abolished completely the anticoagulant activity but dialysis for 24 hr at 4°C had no effect on it. The activity was eluted on Sephadex-25 both in void and post void volumes. The results show that VSE has a potent anticoagulant activity against various factors. Factors VIII and IX are markedly decreased. The effect on V, VII and X is moderate. Plasma fibrinogen is not affected. The nature and clinical significance of the anticoagulant activity merit further investigation.

To evaluate the clinical and prognostic value of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The clinical data of 116 newly diagnosed MM patients in the Second Hospital and Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from October 2014 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively, and the patients were divided into two groups: normal PT and APTT group and prolonged PT or APTT group. The differences in sex, age, classification, staging, bleeding events, laboratory indicators [including hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), serum calcium, serum albumin (ALB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum creatinine and β2-microglobulin], and cytogenetic characteristics between the two groups of patients were compared. The effect of prolonged PT or APTT on survival of patients with MM was analyzed. Compared with patients in normal PT and APTT group, patients in prolonged PT or APTT group were more likely to experience bleeding events (χ2=5.087, P =0.024), with lower ALB levels (χ2=4.962, P =0.026) and PLT levels (χ2=4.309, P =0.038), and higher serum calcium levels (χ2=5.056, P =0.025). The positive rates of del17p, del13q and 1q21+ in prolonged PT or APTT group were higher than those in normal PT and APTT group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). K-M survival analysis showed that the prolonged PT or APTT group had a shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) (P =0.032) and overall survival (OS) (P =0.032). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that prolonged PT or APTT (HR=2.116, 95%CI :1.025-4.372, P =0.043) and age ≥65 years (HR=2.403, 95%CI : 1.195-4.836, P =0.014) were independent risk factor for OS in newly diagnosed MM patients. However, prolonged PT or APTT had no significant effect on PFS of newly diagnosed MM patients (HR=1.162, 95%CI : 0.666-2.026, P =0.597). Newly diagnosed MM patients with prolonged PT or APTT have worse clinical indicators, shorter PFS and OS. Prolonged PT or APTT is an independent risk factor for OS in MM patients.

The effect of serum and plasma pseudoglobulins on the prolonged thrombin and prothrombin time of heparinized plasma was studied. It was found that pseudoglobulins are able to shorten thrombin time and to a lesser degree prothrombin time. Experiments suggest that the following mechanism is involved: Pseudoglobulins replace heparin cofactor from heparin – heparin cofactor complex and, because the new complex acts as a weak antithrombin, the pseudoglobulins seem to possess antiheparin activity. Since euglobulins too have a weak antiheparin effect, no specificity can be ascribed to this phenomenon. Serum pseudoglobulins shorten also the prolonged thrombin time of incubated plasma, but not the prolonged prothrombin time. Plasma pseudoglobulins, however, because of their content in labile factor shorten both thrombin and prothrombin time.