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Thromb Haemost 1985; 54(02): 515-517
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657886
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Questions and Answers on Prothrombin Time Standardisation in Oral Anticoagulant Control

E A Loeliger
*   The Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research Unit, Department of Haematology, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands
,
L Poller
**   The UK Reference Laboratory for Anticoagulant Reagents and Control, University Hospital of South Manchester, Withington Hospital, Manchester, UK
,
M Samama
***   The Laboratoire Central d’Hématologie, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Paris, France
,
J M Thomson
**   The UK Reference Laboratory for Anticoagulant Reagents and Control, University Hospital of South Manchester, Withington Hospital, Manchester, UK
,
A M H P Van den Besselaar
*   The Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research Unit, Department of Haematology, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands
,
J Vermylen
****   The Center for Thrombosis and Vascular Research, University of Leuven, Belgium
,
M Verstraete
****   The Center for Thrombosis and Vascular Research, University of Leuven, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 26 March 1985

Accepted 21 June 1985

Publication Date:
18 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

One of the reasons why oral anticoagulants fell into disrepute is the absence of internationally accepted standardised procedures for controlling the level of anticoagulatiori. This deplorable situation resulted in over- and under-coagulation and uncertainty in the therapeutic range. International conformity can now be obtained by using an International Normalised Ratio (INR) which is derived from the individual result obtained in a given plasma sample and the International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of the tissue thromboplastin reagent used. Any thromboplastin reagent can be calibrated against an international primary or secondary W.H.O. reference preparation, so as to obtain its International Sensitivity Index. The new system of reporting the level of anticoagulation was designed and can only safely be applied in patients taking oral anticoagulants.

Keywords

Prothrombin time - Oral anticoagulants - International normalised ratio - International sensitivity index - Standardisation
 

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