| prothrobin | A coagulation factor needed for the normal clotting of blood. In the cascade of events leading to the final clot, prothrombin precedes thrombin (and so is a precursor to thrombin). Also called thrombinogen. Prothrombin time: a clotting test, a test done to test the integrity of part of the clotting scheme. Familiarly called the pro time, the test is the time needed for clot formation after a substance called thromboplastin (+ calcium) has been added to plasma. (12 Dec 1998) |
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