Blood coagulation monitoring using refractive index

Prothrombin, or factor II, is vital in blood coagulation, transforming into active thrombin. The prothrombin time test (PTT) measures blood clotting time, crucial for heart disease patients on anticoagulants. Our study introduces a novel approach using refractive index to measure prothrombin time, validated through experimental outcomes. This method leverages light refraction principles, offering rapid results, simplicity, and point-of-care potential. Testing with clinical samples showed strong correlation with traditional PTT methods. Developing a point-of-care device for prothrombin time measurement promises to enhance patient care by enabling real-time monitoring of clotting efficiency, allowing timely adjustments to anticoagulant therapy, thus reducing risks of bleeding or thrombosis. The simplicity and accessibility of this method can revolutionize anticoagulant management, especially in resource-limited settings.