The prothrombin
time (PT) and its
derived measures of prothrombin
ratio (PR) and international normalized ratio (INR) are measures of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. This test is also called "ProTime INR" and
"INR PT". They are used to determine the clotting tendency of blood,
in the measure of warfarin dosage, liver damage, and vitamin K status. PT measures factors I (fibrinogen), II (thrombin), V, VII, and X. It is used in conjunction with the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) which measures the intrinsic pathway.
Normal range
The reference range for prothrombin time is usually
around 10-14 seconds, and the INR in absence of anticoagulation therapy is
0.8-1.2. The target range for INR in anticoagulant use (e.g. warfarin) is 2 to 3. In
some cases, if more intense anticoagulation is thought to be required, the
target range may be 2.5-3.5.
