Low predictive value of an elevated prothrombin time for bleeding on oral anticoagulation.

Abstract

This study is a retrospective analysis of 39 consecutive patients who had a prothrombin time of over 25 seconds with respect to the bleeding complications. This study finds that the overall risk of bleeding is low, 2/39 (5.1%), that there is no statistical difference in the values of the patients who bled when compared to those who did not, and that patients who bled tended to have a clearly identifiable precipitating event.