Tag: Pt

While the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the standard test for monitoring unfractionated heparin therapy, this anticoagulant can also cause a significant, though often artifactual, prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT). This complex interaction is crucial for healthcare professionals to understand, especially during transitions to oral anticoagulants like warfarin.

Heparin, a fast-acting anticoagulant, is widely used to prevent and treat blood clots. Unlike the oral anticoagulant warfarin, it does not require monitoring via the International Normalized Ratio (INR), leading many to question: Does heparin affect PT or PTT? The answer lies in its specific mechanism of action within the body's complex coagulation cascade.