DETERMINATION OF THE COUMARIN ANTICOAGULANT PHENPROCOUMON AND METABOLITES IN HUMAN PLASMA, URINE AND BREAST-MILK BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY AFTER SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION

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 highperformance 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.