Question

If a patient is on warfarin and normal aPTT is 10-14 sec, what would you want your patient's aPTT to be?

A. 5-10 sec
B. 15-20 sec
C. 20-30 sec
D. 30-40 sec

Answer 1

The goal aPTT range for a patient on warfarin depends on the indication for therapy. For venous thromboembolism, the target range is generally 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value, approximately 15-35 seconds using a normal range of 10-14 seconds. For patients with mechanical heart valves, the target range may be higher, around 2.5 to 3.5 times the control value, approximately 25-49 seconds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) is used to monitor their response to warfarin, an anticoagulant medication. Normal aPTT range is 10-14 seconds. In patients on warfarin therapy, the goal aPTT range typically depends on the indication for therapy:

1. If the patient is being treated for a venous thromboembolism, the target aPTT range is generally 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value. So, using the normal range of 10-14 seconds, the target range would be approximately 15-35 seconds.
2. For patients with mechanical heart valves, the target aPTT range may be higher, around 2.5 to 3.5 times the control value. In this case, the target range would be approximately 25-49 seconds.

It is important for the patient to work closely with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate target aPTT range based on their specific condition.