Warfarin inhibits epoxide reductase which interferes with synthesis of the vitamin K dependent clotting factors. Of the clotting factors, VII has the shortest half-life and thus will be first to be decreased to 50%.
NOTE: Protein C also has an extremely short half-life and its decrease before that of the clotting factors can cause an initial hypercoaguable state after warfarin is begun. This is why heparin therapy is used to "bridge" patients.
submitted by โcassdawg(1780)
Warfarin inhibits epoxide reductase which interferes with synthesis of the vitamin K dependent clotting factors. Of the clotting factors, VII has the shortest half-life and thus will be first to be decreased to 50%.
NOTE: Protein C also has an extremely short half-life and its decrease before that of the clotting factors can cause an initial hypercoaguable state after warfarin is begun. This is why heparin therapy is used to "bridge" patients.