COAGULATION LAB RESULTS ASSOCIATED WITH
COUMADIN TREATMENT
Andy Nguyen,M.D./ UT-Medical School at Houston, Pathology/
Last Revision on: 12/9/96
- Pathological Basis:
- Vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors include prothrombin
and factors VII, IX, X. The characteristic chemical feature
of these proteins is a unique amino acid residue referred
to as gamma carboxyglutamic acid. This residue enables the
vitamin K-dependent proteins to bind calcium ions.
- Use of oral anticoagulants results in inhibition of the
vitamin K-dependent carboxylation reactions. As a consequence,
nonfunctional vitamin K-dependent proteins are secreted in
the circulation causing a reduction in the efficiency of
the coagulation mechanism.
Diagnostic Criteria:
- Patient_on_Coumadin
- PT:abnormal