Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
Published on: February 10, 2015
Relationship between elevated bilirubin levels and enhanced warfarin effects during biliary obstruction
Takafumi Nakazawa1,2, Shingo Yamazaki1, Masashi Uchida1,2
1Division of Pharmacy, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba-Shi, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan.
Biliary obstruction significantly prolongs prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) in warfarin users. Elevated bilirubin levels strongly correlate with this PT-INR increase, necessitating careful monitoring for safe warfarin therapy.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Warfarin therapy requires careful monitoring of the prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR).
- Biliary obstruction can lead to significant alterations in PT-INR, particularly in patients on warfarin.
- Identifying factors influencing PT-INR changes during biliary obstruction is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors associated with prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) prolongation during biliary obstruction in patients using warfarin.
- To determine the relationship between changes in laboratory values and PT-INR fluctuations in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 44 warfarin users with biliary obstruction.
- Evaluation of warfarin doses and laboratory data before and during the obstruction.
- Correlation analysis between changes in PT-INR (ΔPT-INR) and changes in total bilirubin (ΔT-Bil), conjugated bilirubin (ΔC-Bil), and albumin (ΔAlb).
Main Results:
- Prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) was significantly prolonged during biliary obstruction (median PT-INR 2.27 vs. 1.59, P < 0.001).
- Changes in PT-INR (ΔPT-INR) showed strong positive correlations with changes in total bilirubin (ΔT-Bil; ρ = 0.692) and conjugated bilirubin (ΔC-Bil; ρ = 0.731).
- A weak negative correlation was observed between ΔPT-INR and changes in albumin (ΔAlb; ρ = -0.371).
Conclusions:
- Prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) prolongation during biliary obstruction in warfarin users is linked to elevated bilirubin levels.
- Changes in total and conjugated bilirubin are significantly associated with PT-INR fluctuations.
- Monitoring PT-INR in patients with biliary obstruction and high bilirubin levels is recommended for safe warfarin management.
More Related Videos
07:44Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy in Malignant Biliary Obstruction
Published on: March 25, 2022
08:42Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding
For low-extraction-ratio drugs that are less than 80% protein-bound, minor changes in protein binding...
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Drug Interactions
Displacement interactions can have varying outcomes, ranging from toxicity to virtually...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...