Use of low-dose prothrombin complex concentrate before lumbar puncture. 2015

Jared J Butler
Jared J. Butler, Pharm.D., BCPS, is Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN (jared.butler@va.gov).

OBJECTIVE The use of an off-label dose of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for International Normalized Ratio (INR) reversal in a patient before a diagnostic lumbar puncture is reported. CONCLUSIONS A 57-year-old, 122-kg man arrived at the hospital with a possible diagnosis of meningitis and had an INR of >3 while on warfarin therapy. The patient initiated warfarin therapy in 2009 due to recurrent deep vein thrombosis. The patient required reversal of his elevated INR in order for a lumbar puncture to be safely performed (INR must be no higher than 1.4). Multiple units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) were administered, with a subsequent INR decrease to 1.9. Additional units of FFP were given. The patient developed respiratory decompensation due to volume overload, partially caused by the administration of multiple units of FFP. As the INR remained above 1.4 but was less than 2, an alternative dosing strategy was used. A dose of 1020 units of factor IX, equaling about 10 mg/kg based on a maximum dosing weight of 100 kg, was administered. The two vials of PCC administered each contained 510 units of factor IX. No vitamin K was given. The patient's INR, checked 30 minutes after PCC administration, was 1.3, and the lumbar puncture was performed. The lumbar puncture was completed without complication, and the patient was restarted on therapeutic anticoagulation the following day. CONCLUSIONS A 57-year-old patient was successfully treated with low-dose PCC to reverse an INR from 1.7 to 1.3 in order to perform a diagnostic lumbar puncture.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008581 Meningitis Inflammation of the coverings of the brain and/or spinal cord, which consist of the PIA MATER; ARACHNOID; and DURA MATER. Infections (viral, bacterial, and fungal) are the most common causes of this condition, but subarachnoid hemorrhage (HEMORRHAGES, SUBARACHNOID), chemical irritation (chemical MENINGITIS), granulomatous conditions, neoplastic conditions (CARCINOMATOUS MENINGITIS), and other inflammatory conditions may produce this syndrome. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1994, Ch24, p6) Pachymeningitis,Meningitides,Pachymeningitides
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010949 Plasma The residual portion of BLOOD that is left after removal of BLOOD CELLS by CENTRIFUGATION without prior BLOOD COAGULATION. Blood Plasma,Fresh Frozen Plasma,Blood Plasmas,Fresh Frozen Plasmas,Frozen Plasma, Fresh,Frozen Plasmas, Fresh,Plasma, Blood,Plasma, Fresh Frozen,Plasmas,Plasmas, Blood,Plasmas, Fresh Frozen
D001779 Blood Coagulation Factors Endogenous substances, usually proteins, that are involved in the blood coagulation process. Clotting Factor,Coagulation Factors,Blood Coagulation Factor,Clotting Factors,Coagulation Factor,Coagulation Factor, Blood,Coagulation Factors, Blood,Factor, Coagulation,Factors, Coagulation,Factor, Blood Coagulation,Factor, Clotting,Factors, Blood Coagulation,Factors, Clotting
D005164 Factor IX Storage-stable blood coagulation factor acting in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Its activated form, IXa, forms a complex with factor VIII and calcium on platelet factor 3 to activate factor X to Xa. Deficiency of factor IX results in HEMOPHILIA B (Christmas Disease). Autoprothrombin II,Christmas Factor,Coagulation Factor IX,Plasma Thromboplastin Component,Blood Coagulation Factor IX,Factor 9,Factor IX Complex,Factor IX Fraction,Factor Nine,Factor IX, Coagulation
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000925 Anticoagulants Agents that prevent BLOOD CLOTTING. Anticoagulant Agent,Anticoagulant Drug,Anticoagulant,Anticoagulant Agents,Anticoagulant Drugs,Anticoagulation Agents,Indirect Thrombin Inhibitors,Agent, Anticoagulant,Agents, Anticoagulant,Agents, Anticoagulation,Drug, Anticoagulant,Drugs, Anticoagulant,Inhibitors, Indirect Thrombin,Thrombin Inhibitors, Indirect
D013129 Spinal Puncture Tapping fluid from the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region, usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. Lumbar Puncture,Spinal Tap,Lumbar Punctures,Puncture, Lumbar,Puncture, Spinal,Punctures, Lumbar,Punctures, Spinal,Spinal Punctures,Spinal Taps,Tap, Spinal,Taps, Spinal
D014859 Warfarin An anticoagulant that acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Warfarin is indicated for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, pulmonary embolism, and atrial fibrillation with embolization. It is also used as an adjunct in the prophylaxis of systemic embolism after myocardial infarction. Warfarin is also used as a rodenticide. 4-Hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one,Aldocumar,Apo-Warfarin,Coumadin,Coumadine,Gen-Warfarin,Marevan,Tedicumar,Warfant,Warfarin Potassium,Warfarin Sodium,Potassium, Warfarin,Sodium, Warfarin

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