The Measurement of Prothrombin in Plasma: A Case of Prothrombin Deficiency

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Abstract
A case of prothrombin deficiency with normal factor V and VII is described. From a study of this patient, a 2-stage method for the measurement of prothrombin was devised. Patient''s undiluted citrated plasma is incubated with brain emulsion and CaCl2, and added to fibrinogen at intervals. The clotting times are read from the thrombin-fibrinogen dilution curves in terms of thrombin units, and a curve of thrombin generation and disappearance is drawn. By computing the area enclosed by the curve the duration of thrombin formation and the level of thrombin attained can both be taken into account. The test is not useful for following tromexan or dicoumarol therapy which mainly reduces factor VII.