Prothrombin Time

What is PT INR?

Prothrombin time (PT), is a test performed to estimate the ability of the plasma to clot. This test is used to diagnose bleeding disorders and also to check the efficacy of the ongoing anticoagulant medication. It is advised before undergoing any surgical procedure. The test assesses the functioning of blood coagulation factors I, II, V, VII, and X, and the time taken for conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.
The Prothrombin Time International Normalized Ratio PT(INR) is calculated from PT results and PT(INR) that is higher than normal indicates that blood will take a longer time to clot, while values shorter than normal could indicate a clotting disorder where blood takes lesser time to clot.

Why is PT INR done?

• To detect and diagnose bleeding disorders or clotting disorders
• Before the surgical procedure
• To monitor the efficacy of treatment with anticoagulating medication, Warfarin

What does PT INR Measure?

The Prothrombin Time (PT) Test measures the ability of the plasma to clot in order to detect a bleeding disorder or clotting disorder and to monitor the effects of anticoagulant medication, Warfarin.

In case of any bleeding, the body responds to stop the blood loss as quickly as possible by forming a blood clot. This process of blood clotting or coagulation is called hemostasis and involves a series of chemical reactions in the blood (coagulation cascade) which activates blood proteins called coagulation factors one after another, in a series. The activated coagulation factors lead to the formation of fibrin mesh around the platelets and other blood cells at the site of bleeding and this complex hardens to form a “blood clot”.

Coagulation cascade proceeds by two pathways, the intrinsic pathway, and the extrinsic pathway. These pathways later merge together into a common pathway. Prothrombin (Coagulation Factor II) is converted to its active form thrombin in one of the reactions. The PT Test assesses the functioning of Blood Coagulation Factors I, II, V, VII, and X, which are parts of the extrinsic and common pathways by measuring the time taken for conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. The Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) Test measures the functioning of Blood coagulation Factors I, II, V, XII, VIII, IX, X, and XI, along with other factors Prekallikrein (PK), and High Molecular Weight Kininogen (HK) which form parts of the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways. The PT and aPTT tests are usually performed together and the results of both are evaluated simultaneously to determine the rate of blood clotting.

Warfarin is prescribed in the treatment of conditions caused or worsened by excessive blood clotting like Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot formation in blood vessels), irregular heartbeats, etc. The PT test is also performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Warfarin treatment. When performed to determine Warfarin efficacy, the result of the PT Test is expressed in terms of a measurement scale called the International Normalized Ratio (INR). Since the PT Tests are performed using different reagents in different labs giving rise to widely varying results in other conventional units, the INR system was created to maintain uniformity in the results.