Prothrombin time, Prothrombin index (venous blood) in Moscow

Thrombin is one of the main enzymes involved in the regulation of the blood coagulation system. It is responsible for stabilizing the blood clot, which is vital during bleeding. When the amount of thrombin in the blood changes, clotting problems and hemostasis may occur, because thrombin is responsible specifically for the stage of blood clot formation. The time it takes for a clot to form under real conditions is called thrombin time.

Thrombin time in the laboratory is the period during which fibrinogen is converted into fibrin in plasma mixed with sodium citrate, calcium and thrombin. There may be several indications for prescribing an analysis:

• for liver pathologies;
• to identify a lack of fibrinogen in the body;
• to monitor heparin treatment;
• before operations and surgical interventions;
• with spontaneous termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks.

Clinical signs of insufficient fibrinogen are increased bleeding and a tendency to form blood clots. Patients usually report the following symptoms:

• slow healing of the skin surface;
• heavy bleeding (including heavy menstruation);
• frequent occurrence of hematomas;
• rash.

Detailed description of the study

Prothrombin, or factor II of the blood coagulation system, acts as a precursor to thrombin (the most important component in the formation of a blood clot). It is constantly present in the blood plasma and is activated at the moment of tissue or organ damage. As part of the blood coagulation system, it participates in the formation of a blood clot (thrombus), which prevents excessive blood loss during injury.

Prothrombin time (PTT) and prothrombin index (PTI) are indicators that characterize one of the stages of blood coagulation. Prothrombin time measures the number of seconds it takes for a blood clot to form after certain reagents are added to a blood sample being tested. Prothrombin index is the ratio between the clotting time of control (so-called healthy) blood plasma and the test sample. Determination of these indicators is necessary to assess the functioning of the entire blood coagulation system.

When tissue is damaged and subsequent bleeding occurs, the human body initiates a blood clotting process called hemostasis. Hemostasis involves a series of sequential chemical reactions (coagulation cascade). This cascade involves blood clotting factors, which are activated one after another and lead to the formation of a blood clot.

To ensure a normal coagulation process, there must be a sufficient amount of all factors in the blood, each of which must be functionally active. Insufficient activity can lead to excessive blood loss, excessive activity can lead to excessive clotting.

The test evaluates the overall ability to form a blood clot over a certain period of time (measured in seconds). The prothrombin index expresses the ratio of the clotting time of the test blood plasma to the control (normal) plasma.

Tests of prothrombin time and prothrombin index are ordered on a regular basis when a person is being treated with anticoagulant drugs (Warfarin) to ensure that the drug is having the desired effect.

Also prescribed if a person has signs or symptoms of excessive bleeding, such as frequent unexplained bleeding (nose, gum), multiple bruises.

PTT and PTI studies are performed before planned surgery when there is an increased risk of blood loss or when the person has had episodes in the past that indicate abnormalities in the blood clotting system.

A shortening of prothrombin time and an increase in the prothrombin index may indicate increased blood clotting and is mainly diagnosed in thrombosis, as well as thrombophilia (high risk of thrombosis).

The study of prothrombin time and determination of the prothrombin index indirectly allows us to assess the deficiency of prothrombin complex factors (II, V, VII, X).

During pregnancy, an additional uteroplacental circulation is formed, thanks to which the mother's blood, along with nutrients, flows to the fetus. Increased activity of the blood coagulation system (hypercoagulation) in the third trimester of pregnancy is a physiological process aimed at preparing for childbirth and preventing massive bleeding. Determination of prothrombin time and prothrombin index in pregnant women is mandatory research, since in case of changes associated with insufficient activity of coagulation factors, the risk of bleeding (including postpartum bleeding), placental abruption, and spontaneous termination of pregnancy increases.

Prothrombin time, prothrombin time according to Quick, INR, PTI

A blood test for prothrombin, INR (prothrombin time) is a coagulation test. It determines the clotting time of the patient's plasma after adding a mixture of tissue thromboplastin and calcium ions to it.

Prothrombin test results in different forms.

1. Prothrombin according to Quick (%) - like the prothrombin index, allows you to determine the activity of the prothrombin complex of the patient’s plasma in comparison with the measured prothrombin time of the control plasma. This calculation is carried out according to the curve of the dependence of prothrombin time on the percentage of prothrombin complex factors, which is constructed using different dilutions of control plasma. This method of obtaining results is the most accurate, especially in the low value range. Prothrombin according to Quick and the prothrombin index may coincide with each other in the range of normal values. In the zone of low values, which are recommended for the management of patients taking indirect anticoagulants, the indicators of these tests diverge. A prothrombin index of 50 - 60% can be equal to 30 - 40% prothrombin according to Quick. Calculation of prothrombin according to Quick is currently a generally accepted method.

2. INR (International Normalized Ratio), Latin abbreviation INR (International Normalized Ratio) is an additional way of reporting the results of a prothrombin test. It is recommended for monitoring therapy with indirect anticoagulants by the WHO expert committee and the International Committee on Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the International Committee for Standardization in Hematology.

INR is calculated using the formula: INR (INR) = (Patient's prothrombin time / Normal mean prothrombin time) isi, where ISI (International Sensitivity Index of thromboplastin), also known as MICH (International Sensitivity Index) is an indicator of the sensitivity of thromboplastin, which standardizes it relative to international standard.

INR is a mathematical correction. It is used to standardize prothrombin time, which is measured using various thromboplastins with different sensitivities. The optimal INR limits that should be achieved during treatment with indirect anticoagulants depend on the therapeutic goals and are determined by the attending physician. INR and prothrombin according to Quick correlate negatively - this means that a decrease in prothrombin according to Quick corresponds to an increase in INR.

3. Prothrombin time (measured in seconds) reflects the time of plasma clotting after the addition of thromboplastin and calcium mixture. This presentation of the result of the prothrombin test cannot allow for a comparative assessment of the results, due to the fact that different laboratories use different methods and equipment, and most importantly, thromboplastin of different activity and different origin.

4. Prothrombin index is the ratio of the clotting time of the control (“normal”) plasma to the clotting time of the subject’s plasma, which is expressed in %. This indicator in the low range is very dependent on the sensitivity of the reagents used.

Indications

• As a study to identify blood clotting pathologies.
• As a screening test to assess the state of the coagulation system.
• Control of blood clotting during long-term treatment with indirect anticoagulants (coumarins, etc.).
• Study of liver functions to assess the synthesis of prothrombin complex factors in the liver.

Level up:

• tendency to thrombosis: thromboembolic conditions, myocardial infarction, pre-infarction conditions, hypohydration due to increased blood viscosity, hyperglobulinemia;
• drugs that inhibit the action of coumarin (barbiturates, vitamin K) or can inhibit it (corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, meprobamate);
• antihistamines;
• polycythemia;
• malignant tumors.

Downgrade:

• hereditary or acquired deficiency of factors I, II, V, VII and X;
• idiopathic familial hypoprothrombinemia;
• acquired and hereditary hypofibrinogenemia;
• deficiency of vitamin K in the diet (factors II, VII, X are formed in hepatocytes in the presence of vitamin K);
• vitamin K deficiency in the mother (hemorrhagic diathesis in the newborn);
• medications - vitamin K antagonists (anticoagulants - phenylin, etc., coumarins and drugs that enhance their effect: anabolic steroids, clofibrate, glucagon, thyroxine, indomethacin, neomycin, oxyphenbutazone, salicylates; heparin, urokinase / streptokinase).

References

1. Zobova, D.A., Paramonova, T.K., Tyurina, N.A. et al. Pathology of the hemostatic system in very early premature birth. – Journal of scientific articles, health and education in the 21st century, 2021. - No. 8. — P.185-187.
2. Ponizovich, E.V., Zolotavina, M.L., Chernyavskaya, O.V. Changes in blood hemostasis in patients suffering from viral hepatitis. — Scientific forum: medicine, biology and chemistry, 2021. — pp. 13-17.
3. Haram, K., Mortensen, J., Mastrolia, S. et al. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the HELLP syndrome: how much do we really know? — The journal of maternal-fetal and neonatal medicine, 2017. — Vol. 30(7). — P. 779-788.

Prothrombin time

What is a coagulogram?

A coagulogram is a special study of a patient’s blood sample in a laboratory setting, which can be used to qualitatively and informatively monitor the functioning of hemostasis. This is a complex biosystem that is responsible for maintaining blood fluidity, maintaining a number of processes aimed at stopping bleeding, as well as the timely dissolution of dense blood clots.

The study of hemostasis is also called a hemostasiogram.

In order to maintain basic body functions, blood must be:

• Moderately liquid in order to maintain the ability to transport oxygen and nutrients through vessels to tissues and organs, remove decay products and toxins from the body, maintain the functioning of the immune system, and regulate body temperature;
• Moderately viscous to quickly close holes in large and small vessels in case of traumatic and other types of damage.

In cases where blood clotting is reduced to critical levels, bleeding can lead to massive blood loss and even death of the body.

If we are talking about excess thickness and increased coagulability, there is a high probability of blood clots forming. They can block the most important vessels and cause problems such as thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

A coagulogram is a very important analysis. A properly functioning hemostasis system prevents life-threatening blood loss, as well as the formation of blood clots and blockage of the vascular bed with blood clots, which can lead to unpredictable consequences and even sudden death.

Coagulogram – assessment of blood clotting. Based on the results of the analysis, hidden and obvious pathologies of the body can be detected. Venous blood is used as biological material for research.

This is a complex study, because it is necessary to evaluate each blood parameter separately and analyze all indicators as a whole.

Types of analysis

During the coagulogram, a huge number of parameters are studied. Each of them is important and is responsible for a specific hemostasis function.

Today there are two types of coagulogram:

• Simple;
• Extended.

A simple hemostasiogram helps confirm or refute the presence of problems in the blood clotting system. With the help of this analysis, the doctor can understand where exactly the deviation from the norm is located. If a specialist suspects the presence or development of a pathology, an extended coagulogram is prescribed.

Detailed analysis can also be called quantitative. It implies not only the fact of qualitative changes, but also the definition of specific indicators in numbers.

During a complete coagulation analysis, a number of blood clotting factors are taken into account. Deviation of any indicator from the norm can lead to serious problems for the entire body. Therefore, a simple coagulogram is considered as indicative - it does not provide specific data.

A detailed hemostasiogram is carried out both according to the indications of a specialist to diagnose a number of diseases, and as a standard procedure - before operations, during pregnancy, when taking anticoagulants.

Decoding the prothrombin test according to Quick: table

How to prepare for a thrombin time test

The analysis does not require special preparation. It is recommended to donate blood on an empty stomach, in the first half of the day; you are allowed to drink only clean, still water. To ensure that the results are not distorted, it is recommended not to drink alcohol or fatty foods the day before the analysis, and also to avoid physical and emotional stress. If you are taking blood thinning medications, you need to notify the clinic representative about this, he will note the data in the client’s card.

The best solution is to analyze the entire blood coagulation system: in addition to thrombin time, it is also recommended to take prothrombin time, fibrinogen and APTT. These indicators are basic and allow you to evaluate the curtailment process from all possible angles.

Blood is taken from a vein: specialists from the Evermedic medical laboratory perform the manipulations as carefully and quickly as possible, even if the veins are thin and deep. The research is carried out in a modern, equipped laboratory with powerful microscopes, so the results are ready within the first 24 hours. They can be received either in person or by email.