title: The use of prothrombin fragment F1+2 to monitor the effect of oral anticoagulation.
abstract: In comparison to a control group of 47 healthy, non-anticoagulated persons, 164 patients under stable oral anticoagulation therapy showed significant reduction in the plasma level of the prothrombin fragment F1+2 (p < 0.0005). Even with low intensity anticoagulation (INR < 2.0), F1+2 levels were reduced to within the normal range (0.32 - 1.2 nM/l) in all patients. The reduction in the plasma level of prothrombin fragment F1+2 is directly dependent on the intensity of oral anticoagulation therapy and provides a means of monitoring the anticoagulation effect achieved. Clinical studies are required to assess the practicality of using F1+2 for monitoring anticoagulation and in particular to assess the usefulness of low levels in predicting bleeding risk and high levels in predicting thrombotic risk during treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department I, University Hospital Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Bruhn
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Zurborn
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D010644:Phenprocoumon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism*; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D011516:Prothrombin; D010644:Phenprocoumon