title: Evaluation of the marker of hypercoagulability prothrombin fragment F 1+2 in patients with mechanical or biological heart valve prostheses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether patients with heart valve prostheses and similar International Normalized Ratios (INR) have the same level of protection against thromboembolic events, that is, whether the anticoagulation intensity is related to the intensity of hypercoagulability suppression.
  
  
  METHODS
  INR and plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) were assessed in blood samples of 27 patients (7 with mechanical heart valves and 20 with biological heart valves) and 27 blood samples from healthy donors that were not taking any medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased levels of F1+2 were observed in blood samples of 5 patients with heart valve prostheses taking warfarin. These findings reinforce the idea that even though patients may have INRs, within the therapeutic spectrum, they are not free from new thromboembolic events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Determination of the hypercoagulability marker F1+2 might result in greater efficacy and safety for the use of oral anticoagulants, resulting in improved quality of life for patients.
authors.affiliation: Depto de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da UFMG, 30180-112-Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. pswanner@bhlink.com.br
authors.forename: Claudia Natália
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Lauro Mello
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Luci Maria Sant'Ana
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dusse
authors.forename: Carlos Faria Santos
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: William Antônio
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: de Magalhães Esteves
authors.forename: Lúcia Maria Amorim
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fenelon
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: das Graças Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011516:Prothrombin; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D014859:Warfarin; D011516:Prothrombin; D001241:Aspirin