Plasma Thromboplastin Component: Influence of Coumarin Compounds and Vitamin K on Its Activity in Serum

Abstract

Deficiencies of plasma thromboplastin component (PTC) are not necessarily congenital in origin. Serum levels of PTC were depressed following the administration of two 4-hydroxy coumarin compounds to 24 patients. PTC activity was also reduced in a patient who developed a deficiency of vitamin K subsequent to an inability to adsorbfats (cystic fibrosis of the pancreas). In both groups of patients, PTC activity rapidly increased towards normal following the administration of vit. K analogues.