E-drug: Vitamin K and upper Gl bleeding (cont'd)
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The only reason to use vitamin K is if the patient's INR is elevated.
Liver disease decreases the synthesis of vitamin K dependent factors
(2,7,9,10).
However, in addition to vitamin K, if the INR is elevated, then
patients must receive fresh frozen plasma to replace the deficient
factors. If the INR is normal then neither of these needs to be used.
Joel Lexchin
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto, ON
M5R 2X8
E mail: joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca
Access Essential Drugs Monitor #32 at http://www.who.int/medicines/mon/mon32.shtml
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