THE PROTHROMBIN RESPONSE TO LARGE DOSES OF SYNTHETIC VITAMIN K IN LIVER DISEASE

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Abstract
Prolongation of the diluted (12.5%) plasma prothrombin time is as sensitive an indication of hepatic disturbance as bromsulphalein retention in dogs following CCl4 intoxication. A rough correlation between the 2 tests occurs early but later a dissociation of the procedures takes place. The rate of recovery is uninfluenced by synthetic vit. K. In man, prolongation of the 12.5% plasma prothrombin time was demonstrated in 20 of 23 cases of liver disease. Repeated parenteral adm. of large doses of Hykinone caused prolongation of prothrombin time when liver disease was present. A liver function test is described embodying this phenomenon which is more sensitive and reliable than bromsulphalein retention or cephalin floccula-tion.