Determination of the coumarin anticoagulant phenprocoumon and metabolites in human plasma, urine and breast milk by high-performance liquid chromatography after solid-phase extraction.

ABSTRACT

The coumarin anticoagulant phenprocoumon (PH) and metabolites (6-, 7- and 4'-hydroxyphenprocoumon) were analysed in plasma and urine samples from anticoagulated patients using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with reversed-phase columns and ultraviolet and fluorescence detection; a simpler handling of samples, higher selectivity, precision, accuracy and analytical recovery were obtained compared to analysis using liquid-liquid extraction. Similarly, a method for the analysis of PH in human breast milk was developed to assess the passage of anticoagulants into breast milk in anticoagulated lactating women.