Abstract |
Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk for the development of vitamin K deficiency. We sought to determine the frequency of this deficiency by performing a prospective cohort study in which patients were screened for vitamin K deficiency on ICU admission and every other day thereafter. Vitamin K deficiency was diagnosed by a functional coagulation factor II to Echis factor II ratio < 0.70. Activity of the coagulation cascade was measured by D-dimer. In total, 40 patients were enrolled into the study. Seven of the patients had ratios < 0.70 on the day of admission to the ICU, and three patients developed ratios < 0.70. Thus, 10 of 40 patients (25%; 95% confidence interval, 12-38%) had vitamin K deficiency. Two patients developed coagulopathy, as indicated by an International Normalized Ratio of more than 1.4. D-dimer levels were elevated in 86 of 111 samples. We conclude that vitamin K deficiency is common among critically ill patients, particularly on admission to the ICU. Our findings suggest that additional clinical research is warranted to determine whether vitamin K supplementation on admission to the ICU reduces the risk of ICU-acquired vitamin K deficiency and its attendant complications over the course of the ICU stay.
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Authors | M A Crowther, E McDonald, M Johnston, D Cook |
Journal | Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
(Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis)
Vol. 13
Issue 1
Pg. 49-52
(Jan 2002)
ISSN: 0957-5235 [Print] England |
PMID | 11994567
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
- fibrin fragment D
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Blood Coagulation Disorders
(blood, epidemiology)
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
(metabolism)
- Hemorrhage
(blood, etiology)
- Humans
- Incidence
- Intensive Care Units
- International Normalized Ratio
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Vitamin K Deficiency
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
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