DefinePK

Abstract

Abstract


One hundred eleven patients divided into three groups hepatitis(53), Cirrhosis(50) and Primary liver cancer(8) cases were screened for coagulopathy by Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Throm­boplastin Time (APTT). Abnormalities were found in 30% cases of hepatitis, 70% Cirrhosis and 25% cases with liver Cancer. In Hepatitis factors involving both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways were deficient specially factors IX, X and V. In Cirrhotics factors of the extrinsic pathway were severely deficient, specially factor VII, while in liver Cancer factor V and VII were deficient. Increased levels of fibrinogen were found in hepatitIs and liver Cancer with low to normal in Cirrhotics. In a number of cases PT was normal though factors of the extrinsic pathway were deficient and this deficiency was manifested by prolonged APTT. This study establishes the pattern and extent of .coagulopathy in liver disease in Pakistan and suggests that differences observed in comparison to Western populations are due to differences in etiological factors. It recommends estimation of both PT and APTT as screening tests in our population rather than PT alone, and emphasizes Vitamin K therapy in most chronic cases and those with severe hepatitis