Anticoagulants

Haemostasis process

Coagulation cascade

Clot dissolution

Tests

• PT and INR = EXTRINSIC: tissue factor is added to blood in the laboratory to activate the extrinsic pathway. Clotting time (PT) is measured in seconds (normal usually = 12-13). However, the PT may vary depending on the reagent used, so the laboratory can use the PT to calculate the INR to standardise results (normal = 0.8-1.2).
  • WEPT: Warfarin Extrinsic Prothrombin Time

• APTT = INTRINSIC: a contact activator is added to blood in the laboratory to activate the intrinsic pathway. Clotting time (APTT) is measured in seconds (normal usually = 30-50). The APTT can be divided by the mean normal value to calculate the APTT ratio if required.

Types of anticoagulants

Test your knowledge

What are the vitamin K dependent clotting factors?

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What are the body’s natural anticoagulants?

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