LabMed
Increased PT Only: A Prolonged PT with a Normal PTT
Differential Diagnosis
Initiation of Coumadin therapy or a very low dose of Coumadin
Inadequate intake of foods rich in vitamin K, such as cauliflower, broccoli, chick peas, other leafy vegetables
A stimulus for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Evidence of liver disease from clinical or laboratory parameters
Family history of bleeding that could be associated with factor VII deficiency
Suggested Additional Lab Testing
Get liver function tests to assess whether the patient has liver disease and decreased synthesis of coagulation factors from the liver
Get a D-dimer or FDP as an assessment of DIC
If the test is positive, follow up with platelet count and measurement of fibrinogen.
In patients with DIC, these can be decreased or show decreasing values in two consecutive specimens at least several hours apart.
If DIC, Coumadin therapy, and vitamin K deficiency have been ruled out, measure the factor VII level and assess the possibility of an isolated factor VII deficiency.
Copyright © 2017, 2013 Decision Support in Medicine, LLC. All rights reserved.
No sponsor or advertiser has participated in, approved or paid for the content provided by Decision Support in Medicine LLC. The Licensed Content is the property of and copyrighted by DSM.
Sign Up for Free e-newsletters
Infectious Disease Advisor Articles
- Spontaneous Loss of HBsAg Uncommon in Hepatitis B
- Early ART in HIV Possible Key to Dolutegravir Monotherapy Success
- No Effect of IDU on Postoperative Mortality in Infective Endocarditis
- Noninvasive Biomarker of Variceal Bleeding in HCV Cirrhosis
- Better Physician-Patient Relationship Reduces Hospital Readmissions for PLWHIV
- Infection Control Guidelines in the OR and Anesthesia Work Area
- Challenges in Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus
- Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Vancomycin for Recurrent C difficile
- Pneumococcal Sepsis Risk Remains High in Children After Vaccination
- Tenofovir Alafenamide Linked to Fanconi Syndrome
- Prior Dengue Infection May Protect Against Symptomatic Zika in Children
- Progress Made in Developing New Antibacterial Agents
- Prognostic Index for Post-Engraftment Invasive Fungal Disease Validated
- Analysis of Rapid Molecular Influenza Tests Are Heterogeneous
- Efficacy and Safety of Daclatasvir-Based Regimens in Patients With Cirrhosis