International Normalized Ratio values from two distinct sources of thromboplastin reagent

Introduction: This study addresses challenges in prothrombin time tests crucial for monitoring anticoagulant therapy, emphasizing the potential risks of misinterpreting patients' status due to variability in thromboplastin reagents. Standardizing prothrombin time results is vital for consistent interpretation and accurate anticoagulant adjustments. Objective: The study aims to evaluate International Normalized Ratio results using distinct thromboplastins (from human tissue and from animal tissue), assessing potential variations between sources. Materials and Methods: Prothrombin time tests were carried out using both thromboplastins of 88 patients at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná, utilizing the ACL Elite PRO system for nephelometry. Results: Median prothrombin time for from human tissue was 24.35 seconds (range: 8.0-27.2) and from animal tissue was 34.85 seconds (range: 12.9-64.5). International Normalized Ratio values from human tissue ranged from 0.73 to 6.27 (median: 2.85) and from animal tissue ranged from 0.89 to 5.87 (median: 3.02). No statistical difference was observed (p<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed an "r" value of 0.94, indicating a high degree of correlation between the methods. Conclusion: The study concludes that both reagents can be interchangeably used in the ACL Elite PRO equipment without affecting prothrombin time dosage and International Normalized Ratio results. This contributes valuable insights to anticoagulant therapy, emphasizing the crucial role of International Normalized Ratio. Thromboplastin flexibility enhances clinical practices without compromising accuracy, providing clinicians with valuable information for optimal patient care.