Protime (PT)
 
The protime measures the extrinsic pathway.
  • Protime is a historic term.
  • We use citrated plasma (not serum!)
    • Citrate chelates the calcium
    • Hemolyzed or partially clotted samples are useless.
  • We restore calcium to an aliquot of the plasma and
  • Add tissue thromboplastin as the trigger.
  • Record time it takes for the sample to clot.
  • Usually about 11 seconds.
    • Results expressed as INR: ratio of your patient's result and the simultaneously run control.
    • Expected INR = 1
  • Mr. Bullroar's value is substantially prolonged. What vitamin might be low?

 
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