Prothrombin complex concentrate (Octaplex): a Portuguese experience in 1152 patients.

In emergency/clinical practice it is often necessary to restore the balance of blood coagulation: the rapid reversal of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) is crucial in cases of serious acute bleeding and emergency surgery in patients with high international normalized ratios (INRs). Coagulation can be normalized via the application of haemostatic products, including fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs). Guidelines recommend PCCs for the reversal of OAT in preference to FFP in patients with major/life-threatening bleeding and high INRs.