The Progress of Prothrombin Time Measurement

Warfarin is the most widely used medicine for oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). It inhibits the synthesis of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver and results in the production of inactive or partially active versions of these factors. Inactive coagulation factors interfere with prothrombin time measurement (Quick and Owren PT) measuring the sum of coagulation activity and inhibition. The narrow therapeutic range here involves a danger of serious complications and the risk of bleeding or thrombosis. The new-generation PT method can measure coagulation activity and inhibition separately. This new technique promotes patient care and anticoagulant medication (warfarin, dicoumarol) based on coagulation activity in vivo. Both therapy and laboratory controls should be unquestionably accurate and based solely on in vivo coagulation activity. Inactive coagulation factors (inhibition) render measurement, calibration, and harmonization. The use of the new-generation PT method based on measurement of coagulation activity in vivo could develop vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy for the marked benefit of patients.