Coumadin Checks by PT and INR with a Phoenix Cardiologist
Coumadin (warfarin sodium) is a prescription medication used to keep the blood thin to lessen the likelihood of clot formation. Blood clots cause stroke, heart attack, and other serious disorders when they from in the lungs, legs, or arms.
Prescribed by your doctor, Coumadin must be monitored. Coumadin is called an anticoagulant because it keeps the blood from coagulating (clotting).
Coumadin Benefits:
• Reduces your risk of blood clots if you have atrial fibrillation or another type of irregular rapid heartbeat
• Lessens your chance of heart attack or stroke due to blood clots if you have had a heart valve replacement
• Lowers the risk of death if you had a cardiac event
• Decreases your risk of having another stroke, heart attack, or blood clot if you had one in the past
Important Safety Information
Coumadin can cause prolonged bleeding when you injure yourself. You will have a higher risk of bleeding if you take this medication and have:
• Age older than 65 years of age
• High blood pressure
• A history of stomach ulcers or intestinal bleeding
• Existing heart disease
• A history of transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke)
• A history of cerebral vascular accident (CVA or stroke)
• A low blood count from disease or chemotherapy
• Kidney or liver problems
• A history of an accident or surgery
• To take other medication that thins your blood
Medications that Thin the Blood
• Coumadin
• Heparin
• Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
Signs the Blood is Too Thin
Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms or signs of bleeding:
• Dizziness, weakness, or headaches
• Pain, discomfort, or swelling
• Unusual bruising
• Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or oozing cuts
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Red or dark, tarry stools
• Menstrual or vaginal bleeding that is heavy
• Coughing or vomiting up blood or coffee ground like material
PT Test Coumadin Check
Prothrombin Time (PT, PT with INR, or INR) is a blood test used to measure how long it takes your blood to clot. A prothrombin time test also is done to check for bleeding problems. Often called a Coumadin Check, the PT can be used to check to monitor Coumadin effectiveness.
INR Coumadin Check
INR stands for international normalized ratio. This means the way doctors standardize the results of a prothrombin time test, regardless of the actual testing method. The INR system gives your doctor standard results that he can understand even when they come from another lab where a different test method is used. Treatment and anticoagulant therapy adjustment will be the same regardless of the test or lab site.
Clotting Factors
The body uses blood clotting factors for coagulation (blood clotting). Prothrombin (also called factor II) is one of those clotting factors that is made by the liver. Another important substance for coagulation is vitamin K. This nutrient is used by the body to make prothrombin and other clotting factors (I, V, VII, and X). The PT test checks for problems associated with any of these five clotting factors.
APTT and PTT Tests
If you are on heparin, you will need another type of blood test called the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT). Another test of coagulation is the Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) which measures other clotting factors. Both the APTT and PTT can be done at the same time as the PT when someone has a bleeding disorder or increased bleeding following surgery.
What PT Measures
- Monitors Coumadin Effectiveness – The PT test is used to see if Coumadin is working and to assure that you are on the right dose of this anticoagulant.
- Finds the Cause for Abnormal Bleeding and Bruising – This test is used to see if there is an abnormality of the liver or clotting factors of the blood.
- Checks for Blood Clotting Factor Levels – The lack of certain blood clotting factors can lead to bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, which is an inherited condition.
- Screens for Vitamin K – Because vitamin K is necessary for prothrombin production and clotting factor formation, the PT test can be used to screen for low levels of this nutrient.
- Assesses Liver Function – Prothrombin levels checks to see if the liver is properly functioning and is done along with other liver tests, such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase.
- Checks for DIC – The PT tests checks to see if the body is using its clotting factors so quickly that the blood cannot clot and bleeding will not stop. This could indicate a condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
AZ Heart Doctor offers Board Certified Phoenix cardiology services with a Double Board Certified cardiologist, Dr. Yasir Batres. Most insurance is accepted. Call (480) 300-4646 for more information and scheduling today.
Resources
Chernecky CC & Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
Coumadin.com (2012): http://www.coumadin.com/html/index.htm
Fischbach FT & Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD & Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
WebMD (2010). Prothrombin time. Retrieved from:
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