[High concentration of coagulation factor VIII as a risk factor for thrombosis]

Several case-control studies have shown that factor VIII levels > or = 150 IU/100 ml lead to a greatly increased risk of venous thrombosis. High levels of factor VIII are also associated with an increased risk of recurrences of thrombosis. The prevalence of high factor VIII levels is 25% in patients with a first episode of venous thrombosis and 11% among healthy controls. The contribution of high factor VIII levels to the onset of venous thrombosis in the population is 16%. The mechanism causing high factor VIII levels is largely unknown and probably consists of both genetic and acquired factors. At present, the routine screening of thrombosis patients for high factor VIII levels is not recommended.