Final answer:
The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard unit for reporting PT results and reflects how long it takes for blood to clot. Increased INR levels indicate a higher risk of bleeding and are used to monitor and adjust anticoagulant therapy. Thrombolytic agents are used to break down clots and improve outcomes in thrombotic strokes if administered promptly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard unit for reporting PT results; the other method is the time required, in seconds, for a clot to form in a blood specimen. Prothrombin Time (PT) tests are essential in measuring the blood's tendency to clot, and the INR is used worldwide to ensure consistency in the results. INR values are particularly vital for patients on anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin, to ensure the dose is correct and to avoid the risks of excessive bleeding or thrombosis. Increased INR levels indicate slower clotting times, which could require medical alterations in therapeutic treatments.
A class of drugs known as thrombolytic agents can accelerate the breakdown of abnormal clots, enhancing the prognosis of patients who have experienced a thrombotic stroke, provided they are administered within a three-hour window. It is crucial, however, to ascertain whether a stroke is due to a thrombus or a hemorrhage before administering these agents. Various anticoagulants, including tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and substances derived from snake venom, are used to manage blood clots therapeutically.