Letter P

Pro time

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The pro time (or, more properly, the prothrombin time) is a test of the integrity of part of the clotting scheme.

The prothrombin time is also commonly used as a method of monitoring the accuracy of blood thinning treatment (anticoagulation) with drugs such as Coumadin.

The pro(thrombin) time is the time needed for clot formation after a substance called thromboplastin (+ calcium) has been added to blood plasma.

Prothrombin is a coagulation (clotting) factor needed for the normal clotting of blood.

There is a cascade of biochemical events that leads to the formation of the final clot.

In this cascade, prothrombin is a precursor to thrombin.

Because prothrombin comes before thrombin, it is called prothrombin.

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