Prevalence of High Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) among Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Department of Medicine at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat

Introduction: Chronic liver disease or liver cirrhosis is a disease condition in which fibrosis and the creasing of the liver are not functioning correctly. The severity of cirrhosis depends upon the extent of liver failure. Advanced stages of liver failure that create an abnormal coagulation profile have increased the tendency towards bleeding and have consequently increased the hospitalization rates and mortality among cirrhotic patients. Activated partial thromboplastin time is a test that measures activity of Factors VII, IX, XI, and XII. An increased aPTT is due to decreased synthesis of measuring clotting factors in the sample indirectly decreases synthesis from the liver. Department of Medicine, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital Swat Duration of study: From 13 August 2020 to 14 Feb 2021. Total 195 cases of cirrhosis are consecutively selected from OPD and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Results: The mean age of sample was 45.2 + 7.3 years. 68.2% was male gender while 31.8% is female gender. The mean duration of the disease was 7.1 + 2.5 years. The results showed acute decompensation in 34.9% and 30.8% had hospitalization history due to decompensation. Cardiac drug use history was present in 34.9%. The results further showed that 45.1% patients were diagnosed with prolonged aPTT. Conclusion: Prolongation of aPTT is a frequent problem in our local cirrhotic population. Further studies are needed to develop an association of factors that lead to the prolongation of aPTT, its control, and its effect on morbidity and mortality of patients with cirrhosis. Keywords. Liver cirrhosis, coagulation disorders, activated partial thromboplastin time, acute decompensation