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Excess factor VIII: a common cause of hypercoagulability
1Department of Family Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. rbobrow@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|March 31, 2005
Summary
Elevated factor VIII levels are linked to recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with unexplained clotting. Testing for factor VIII is recommended for idiopathic VTE cases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Vascular Medicine
- Clinical Coagulation
Background:
- Recent studies link elevated coagulation factor VIII to venous thromboembolism (VTE).
- Idiopathic VTE cases may have underlying coagulopathies.
- Three patients with recurrent VTE and high factor VIII levels are presented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between factor VIII levels and idiopathic recurrent VTE.
- To highlight the importance of factor VIII testing in specific VTE cases.
Main Methods:
- Review of case histories.
- Analysis of laboratory test results for coagulation factors.
Main Results:
- Three patients presented with recurrent VTE and elevated factor VIII.
- No other significant coagulopathy was identified in these patients.
- Factor VIII elevation was confirmed in two of the three patients.
Conclusions:
- Factor VIII assay should be considered in the diagnostic work-up of idiopathic, recurrent VTE.
- Long-term anticoagulation may be a suitable treatment strategy for patients with elevated factor VIII and recurrent VTE.