Terminology

The international normalised ratio (INR) is a laboratory measurement of how long it takes blood to clot, used to monitor individuals taking the anticoagulant warfarin.

INR is derived from the prothrombin time, which evaluates the extrinsic pathway and common pathway of coagulation.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive condition causing lung scarring, making breathing increasingly difficult.

IPF is the most common type of pulmonary fibrosis.

The clinical course of IPF can be unpredictable, but its five-year survival from diagnosis is comparable to, or even worse than, a number of common cancers.

BMJ Best Practice - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Intravenous (IV) means existing within or administered into a vein or veins.

NICE Clinical Guideline (CG174) - Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospital

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the lower and mid body to the right atrium of the heart. Valves prevent backflow due to gravity.

Radiopaedia - IVC

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a therapy for autoimmune disease, including GBS.

The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (JRCPE) is the College’s quarterly, peer-reviewed journal, with an international circulation of 8,000. It has three main emphases – clinical medicine, education and medical history and humanities.

JRCPE homepage

The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) sets and maintains standards for physician training in the UK on behalf of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

JRCPTB are involved in curriculum design and implementation, recruitment and certification of trainees, and support the GMC in quality management.

JRCPTB website

The jugular venous pulse (JVP) provides an indirect measure of central venous pressure.

Patient.info: JVP

Liver function tests (LFTs) assess the functioning of the liver, by measuring levels of proteins, enzymes, blood clotting ability, and waste products in the blood.

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant used in VTE prophylaxis and management, and in the management of ACS.

LMWH is derived from unfractionated heparin (UFH), but does not require APTT monitoring and has more predictable pharmacokinetics (with a longer half-life) and anticoagulant effect. LMWH less commonly causes heparin-induced thrombocytopenia than UFH.

LMWH is cleared renally.