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thrombin time

test of the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin by thrombin in which clotting time of plasma mixed with a thrombin solution is measured. Time is prolonged by afibrinogenaemia, abnormal fibrinogen, or the presence of inhibitory substances, e.g., fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products, heparin. Reptilase, a thrombin-like enzyme unaffected by the presence of heparin, may be used in place of thrombin.