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Open Access

International normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time testing

Nicholas L. J. Chornenki, Michael Fralick and Michelle Sholzberg
CMAJ August 29, 2022 194 (33) E1135; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.220629
Nicholas L. J. Chornenki
Department of Medicine (Chornenki), Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Fralick), Sinai Health, and Departments of Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (Sholzberg), St Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
MD
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Michael Fralick
Department of Medicine (Chornenki), Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Fralick), Sinai Health, and Departments of Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (Sholzberg), St Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
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Michelle Sholzberg
Department of Medicine (Chornenki), Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Fralick), Sinai Health, and Departments of Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (Sholzberg), St Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
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See related article at www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.221102

International normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) have limited clinical utility

The INR and aPTT should be used only for specific clinical indications (see Appendix 1, available at www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.220629/tab-related-content).1

Bleeding history is the most important predictor of an inherited bleeding disorder

The INR and aPTT have poor sensitivity (1.0%–2.1%) for bleeding disorders. 1 Clinicians considering an inherited bleeding disorder should first use a Bleeding Assessment Tool (BAT).2 A negative BAT score has a sensitivity approaching 100% to rule out von Willebrand disease (the most common inherited bleeding disorder).2 A positive BAT score should prompt referral to a hematologist for consideration of specialized coagulation testing.1

International normalized ratio and aPTT testing are not indicated before low-risk surgery or interventional radiology

Abnormal INR or aPTT results are not associated with an increased bleeding risk in the setting of low-risk procedures.3,4 An abnormal result with no bleeding history or anticoagulant use should be repeated to rule out artifact or sample handling error. Investigation is generally not indicated for an aPTT of less than 4 seconds above the upper limit of normal.2

An abnormal INR or aPTT in a patient who is bleeding suggests a potential medical emergency

Actionable causes of bleeding such as anticoagulant use, severe liver disease or acquired hemophilia may be indicated by the elevated INR or aPTT, respectively.5

Clinical history and drug pharmacokinetics are more important than INR or aPTT results in guiding clinical decision-making in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)

Direct oral anticoagulants variably and inconsistently affect INR and aPTT results. If a patient is bleeding, decisions on the use of a reversing blood product or drug should be based on the last reported drug dose, renal function and pharmacokinetics. In some centres, DOAC-calibrated assays are available to evaluate the presence of clinically relevant drug activity.6

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None declared.

  • This article has been peer reviewed.

This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original publication is properly cited, the use is noncommercial (i.e., research or educational use), and no modifications or adaptations are made. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

References

  1. ↵
    1. Hayward CPM,
    2. Moffat KA
    . Laboratory testing for bleeding disorders: strategic uses of high and low-yield tests. Int J Lab Hematol 2013;35:322–33.
    OpenUrl
  2. ↵
    1. Elbaz C,
    2. Sholzberg M
    . An illustrated review of bleeding assessment tools and common coagulation tests. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2020;4:761–73.
    OpenUrl
  3. ↵
    1. van Veen JJ,
    2. Spahn DR,
    3. Makris M
    . Routine preoperative coagulation tests: An outdated practice? Br J Anaesth 2011;106:1–3.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  4. ↵
    1. Patel IJ,
    2. Rahim S,
    3. Davidson JC,
    4. et al
    . Society of Interventional Radiology consensus guidelines for the periprocedural management of thrombotic and bleeding risk in patients undergoing percutaneous image-guided interventions—Part II: Recommendations. Endorsed by the Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2019;30:1168–84.e1.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  5. ↵
    1. Spahn DR,
    2. Bouillon B,
    3. Cerny V,
    4. et al
    . The European guideline on management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma: fifth edition. Crit Care 2019;23:98.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  6. ↵
    1. Sarode R
    . Direct oral anticoagulant monitoring: What laboratory tests are available to guide us? Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2019;2019:194–7.
    OpenUrl
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Canadian Medical Association Journal: 194 (33)
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29 Aug 2022
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International normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time testing
Nicholas L. J. Chornenki, Michael Fralick, Michelle Sholzberg
CMAJ Aug 2022, 194 (33) E1135; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220629

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International normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time testing
Nicholas L. J. Chornenki, Michael Fralick, Michelle Sholzberg
CMAJ Aug 2022, 194 (33) E1135; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220629
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  • Article
    • International normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) have limited clinical utility
    • Bleeding history is the most important predictor of an inherited bleeding disorder
    • International normalized ratio and aPTT testing are not indicated before low-risk surgery or interventional radiology
    • An abnormal INR or aPTT in a patient who is bleeding suggests a potential medical emergency
    • Clinical history and drug pharmacokinetics are more important than INR or aPTT results in guiding clinical decision-making in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
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