Vitamin K and Coagulation - High yield facts
Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin needed for the gamma-carboxylation of clotting factors 2, 7, 9 and 10. Remember II VII IX and X
Initially PT is prolonged. PTT can be prolonged later on.
Clinical situations where vitamin deficiency can be seen:
-Newborns who did not receive Vit K at birth. (Breast milk has low levels of vit K).
-Patient on broad spectrum antibiotics (Because gut flora is disturbed. Normally the intestinal bacteria make a significant portion of our Vit K)
-Fat malabsorption syndromes. Vit K is a fat soluble vitamin hence it will go down the drain with the fat.
Management of Vit K deficiency:
-For acute bleeding give FFP (fresh frozen plasma)
-Vitamin K is available as injection and orally
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Interesting bit from UW:
ReplyDeleteWhen you give warfarin and cephalosorins (in general antibiotics) simultaneously, bleeding tends to occur.
Why? Coz the antibiotic tends to destroy the gut flora>>> less of Vit-K
And as we know, warfarin itself antagonises the effect of Vit K>>> so over all increased effect of warfarin occurs.. (=Competitive antagonism)
(Doesn't directly relate to Vit K, but this was one way I never thought about it :D)