PT or Prothrombin Time is a blood test used to monitor the clotting ability of blood. INR (international normalized ratio) is a calculation derived from PT that is used to help diagnose and monitor anticoagulation therapy. APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) is another blood test used to monitor the clotting ability of blood, but it is less commonly used than PT or INR. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between PT, INR, and APTT. Stay tuned!
What is INR?
INR stands for International Normalized Ratio. It is a way of measuring how long it takes for blood to clot. The INR test is used to find out if someone is taking the right dose of warfarin, a medicine that prevents blood clots. A high INR means it is taking longer for the blood to clot and there is a greater risk of bleeding. A low INR means the blood is clotting too quickly and there is a greater risk of stroke. INR is measured using a finger prick test and results are given in minutes. The normal INR range is between 2 and 3, but this can vary from person to person. It is important to talk to your doctor or nurse about what your target INR range should be.
What is APTT?
APTT is a test that measures the time it takes for clotting factors to form a clot. APTT stands for Activated Partial Thromboplastin. APTT measures the function of several clotting factors, including factor VIII, factor IX, and factor XI. APTT is used to diagnose bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
- APTT is also used to monitor treatment for these conditions. APTT is usually performed on a sample of blood taken from a vein in the arm. The blood is mixed with a chemical that activates the clotting factors. The time it takes for the blood to clot is then measured.
- APTT results are reported as a ratio of the patient’s clotting time to the control clotting time. A normal APTT ratio is 1.2-1.5. APTT results that are outside of this range may be due to a dysfunction in one or more clotting factors.
- APTT testing is just one of several tests that can be used to evaluate clotting function. Other tests include PT (prothrombin time) and PTT (partial thromboplastin time). APTT testing is generally used along with other tests, such as PT and PTT, to help diagnose and monitor bleeding disorders.
Differences between INR and APTT
INR and APTT are two measures of blood clotting. INR is the international normalized ratio, while APTT is the activated partial thromboplastin time. Both measures are used to assess a patient’s risk of developing a blood clot. INR is generally considered to be more accurate than APTT, but both tests have their pros and cons. INR is more sensitive to changes in clotting factors, but it is also more affected by other factors, such as diet and medications. APTT is less affected by these other factors, but it is not as sensitive to changes in clotting factors. Ultimately, both tests are useful tools for assessing a patient’s risk of developing a blood clot.
Conclusion
INR and APTT are two measures of blood clotting time used to assess a person’s risk for developing a thrombus. The two tests measure different aspects of the clotting process, so they can provide complementary information about a person’s risk for thrombosis. If you need to have your blood tested for clotting time, make sure that you understand the difference between INR and APTT so that you can ask your doctor for the test that is most appropriate for you.
