Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Assessment of Plasma Coagulation on Liver Tissue in a Large Animal Model In Vivo
06:23

Assessment of Plasma Coagulation on Liver Tissue in a Large Animal Model In Vivo

Published on: August 4, 2018

9.3K

The effectiveness of intravenous vitamin K in correcting cirrhosis-associated coagulopathy

Ryan M Rivosecchi1, Sandra L Kane-Gill2, Jeffrey Garavaglia3

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

The International Journal of Pharmacy Practice
|February 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Intravenous vitamin K may not effectively correct coagulopathy in cirrhosis patients. Many patients did not show significant INR reduction, suggesting limited benefit for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cirrhosis often leads to coagulopathy, increasing bleeding risk.
  • Vitamin K is crucial for synthesizing clotting factors, but its efficacy in cirrhosis is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness of intravenous vitamin K in improving INR levels in patients with cirrhosis.
  • To determine if IV vitamin K can correct the coagulopathy associated with liver cirrhosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 96 cirrhotic patients with INR > 1.5, not on anticoagulation.
  • Intravenous vitamin K administration was the intervention.
  • Effectiveness defined as a 30% INR decrease or INR ≤1.5.

Main Results:

  • The average INR decrease was 0.31.
  • A significant portion of patients (62.3%) did not achieve even a 10% INR reduction.
  • Only 16.7% of patients met the primary endpoint for effectiveness.

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous vitamin K showed limited efficacy in correcting coagulopathy in this cohort of cirrhotic patients.
  • The routine use of IV vitamin K for coagulopathy in cirrhosis may not be a beneficial therapeutic strategy.
Abstract

Keywords:
cirrhosiscoagulopathyliver failurephytonadionevitamin K

More Related Videos

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation08:45

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Published on: June 27, 2025

1.8K
In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices09:15

In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices

Published on: March 21, 2025

1.3K

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
2.6K
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
432
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
2.2K
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
337
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management01:28

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
702
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
304