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A prolonged PT may reflect a factor deficiency or the presence of a circulating inhibitor of coagulation. Repeating the test using a mix of test plasma and "normal" plasma can help differentiate these possibilities: PT returns to normal limits when normal plasma is added to factor-deficient plasma, but no change is seen when this is added to plasma containing inibitors<sup>3</sup>. PT is more sensitive than APTT for factor deficiencies.  
 
A prolonged PT may reflect a factor deficiency or the presence of a circulating inhibitor of coagulation. Repeating the test using a mix of test plasma and "normal" plasma can help differentiate these possibilities: PT returns to normal limits when normal plasma is added to factor-deficient plasma, but no change is seen when this is added to plasma containing inibitors<sup>3</sup>. PT is more sensitive than APTT for factor deficiencies.  
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PT is affected by abnormalities or deficiencies in coagulation factors I, II, VII or X, for example in DIC, liver disease, or poisoning with vitamin K antagonists. Inherited defects are possible. PT is also prolonged by the presence of circulating anticoagulants. As factor VII has the shortest half-life of all the coagulation factors, if a patient is suffering a coagulation factor deficiency a prolonged PT is seen before a prolonged PTT as this factor is depleted most rapidly. Inhibitors are often directed at factor X or thrombin and include fibrin degradation products and heparin<sup>3</sup>.
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PT is affected by abnormalities or deficiencies in coagulation factors I, II, VII or X, for example in DIC, liver disease, endotoxaemia or poisoning with vitamin K antagonists. Inherited defects are possible. PT is also prolonged by the presence of circulating anticoagulants.  Inhibitors are often directed at factor X or thrombin and include fibrin degradation products and heparin<sup>3</sup>. As factor VII has the shortest half-life of all the coagulation factors, if a patient is suffering a coagulation factor deficiency a prolonged PT is seen before a prolonged PTT as this factor is depleted most rapidly.
    
===Tests for Individual Clotting Factors===
 
===Tests for Individual Clotting Factors===
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