2. Used to measure the function of the extrinsic
pathway of the coagulation cascade
Assesses vitamin K status, liver damage, and
monitors warfarin therapy
Method: blood plasma is centrifuged and
tissue factor III is added
3.
4. Used to measure the function of the intrinsic
pathway of the coagulation cascade
Also used to assess heparin therapy
Method: blood sample is collected and
phospholipids, calcium, and an activator are
added
Termed ‘partial’ because tissue factor III is
not added to the mixture
5. Prothrombin Time (PT)
Partial Thromboplastin
Time (PTT)
Measures extrinsic
pathway
Normal: 10-15
seconds
Used to assist with
diagnosing clotting
disorders
Monitors warfarin
therapy
Measures intrinsic
pathway
Normal: 25-40
seconds
Used to assist with
diagnosing bleeding
disorders
Monitors heparin
therapy
6. Question
On your rotation in the intensive care unit, you follow a
patient with advanced sepsis from a central line
infection. On exam you notice marked petechiae on his
extremities as well as some large clots around his
mouth. Concerned about disseminated intravascular
coagulation, you check his labs. What would you
expect?
a) High platelets, low bleeding time, high PT, high PTT
b) Low platelets, high bleeding time, high PT, high PTT
c) Low platelets, high bleeding time, low PT, high PTT
d) Low platelets, low bleeding time, high PT, high PTT
e) Low platelets, low bleeding time, low PT, low PTT
7. Platelets. C. M. (2014). PHSL1 2122 STV. Saint James School of Medicine.
Prothrombin time. Wikipedia. (2014). Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prothrombin_time
Partial thromboplastin time. Wikipedia. (2014). Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_thromboplastin_time
Wikipedia. (2014). Prothrombin time. [Web Image]. Retrieved from
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Fibrin-
nach-Thromboplastin.jpg/230px-Fibrin-nach-Thromboplastin.jpg
Cleveland Clinic. (2009). Pulmonary embolism. [Web Image]. Retrieved
from
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/ccf/media/Images/heart/ptinr_test.jpg
Dentalcare.com. (2014). Dental management of patients with bleeding
disorders. [Web Image]. Retrieved from
http://media.dentalcare.com/images/en-US/education/ce319/diag02-
coagulation.gif
Editor's Notes
Used to monitor oral anticoagulant therapy (Warfarin / Coumadin).
When a patient who is not taking anti-coagulant drugs has signs or symptoms of a bleeding disorder.
When a patient is to undergo an invasive medical procedure, such as surgery, to ensure normal clotting ability.
The prothrombin time is most commonly measured using blood plasma. Blood is drawn into a test tube containing liquid sodium citrate, which acts as an anticoagulant by binding the calcium in a sample. The blood is mixed, then centrifuged to separate blood cells from plasma.
Tissue factor (also known as factor III) is added, and the time the sample takes to clot is measured optically
DIC = increased consumption of factor 7!
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), also known as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy or less commonly as consumptive coagulopathy, is a pathological process characterized by the widespread activation of the clotting cascade that results in the formation of blood clots in the small blood vessels throughout the body.
The basis of disseminated intravascular coagulation is excessive consumption of clotting factors and platelets to the point where bleeding can no longer be stopped. Thus you see a paradox of clotting and bleeding in the same clinical picture. The consumption of coagulation factors and platelets leads to prolonged PT and PTT as well as a low platelet count. Bleeding time is determined mainly by platelet count--the fewer platelets, the longer it takes for the platelet plug to be formed, the longer the bleeding time