Evaluation of a prothrombin time optimized for the dog on plasmas with defined coagulation factor deficiency due to...

The sensitivity of the standard prothrombin time (PT) was low when measured on 56 plasmas with a reduced activity of the coagulation factors mainly of the prothrombin complex (factors II, VII and/or X) taken from eight dogs at different times of vitamin K1 therapy after coumarin intoxication. This was demonstrable by use of three different Ca-thromboplastins. With the standard test only plasmas with an excessive decrease of coagulation factor activity (sum of activity decrease of the single factors in relation to the respective reference range [SAD] > 100%) were detectable with sufficient reliability. In contrast, by using a method optimized for dogs (1:20 sample predilution, fibrinogen substitution) and respecting the species specific features of coagulation physiology, pathological PT-values were measured in up to 70% of the samples (dependent on the Ca-thromboplastin) with slight reductions of single factor activity (SAD: 11-25%). Significant differences concerning the sensitivity were seen additionally between the different Ca-thromboplastins. Human placenta thromboplastin in particular, but also rabbit brain thromboplastin, were more sensitive than a preparation of recombinant human tissue factor. The correlation between the PT and the SAD was closer when using the optimized method (r = 0.919-0.954) compared to the standard test (r = 0.771-0.862). In contrast to the standard test, the PT optimized for dogs is, therefore, a reliable screening test to recognize a slight reduction in prothrombin complex. It is especially suitable for monitoring of vitamin K1 therapy after coumarin intoxication.