prothrombin complex concentrate

Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) is a biologic, plasma-derived blood product containing the four vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors: Factor II (prothrombin), Factor VII, Factor IX, and Factor X, along with anticoagulant proteins C and S. It is primarily used for the urgent reversal of acquired coagulation factor deficiency induced by vitamin K antagonist (e.g., warfarin) therapy in adult patients with acute major bleeding or those needing urgent surgery or invasive procedures. Unlike three-factor PCCs, 4F-PCC contains therapeutic amounts of Factor VII, allowing for more rapid and effective normalization of the International Normalized Ratio (INR). Marketed under brand names such as Kcentra and Beriplex, it acts by directly replacing the depleted clotting factors, bypassing the need for vitamin K-mediated synthesis which takes significantly longer. In clinical practice, it is often preferred over fresh frozen plasma (FFP) due to its smaller infusion volume, faster administration, and lack of requirement for blood type matching.

Brand names

KcentraBeriplexConfidexOctaplexCofact

Other names

four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate4F-PCChuman prothrombin complex concentrate