Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Measurement of Factor V Activity in Human Plasma Using a Microplate Coagulation Assay
13:08

Measurement of Factor V Activity in Human Plasma Using a Microplate Coagulation Assay

Published on: September 9, 2012

[The Janus face of coagulation factors. High levels, high thromboembolic risk?]

C M Schambeck1

  • 1Zentrallabor Campus Kiel, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Schittenhelmstr. 12, 24105 Kiel. christian.schambeck@uk-sh.de

Hamostaseologie
|October 17, 2007
PubMed

Bleeding tendency as a result of clotting factor deficiency is common knowledge. The counterpart, i.e. thrombophilia due to high clotting factor levels, is not surprising, but an association between factor level and thrombosis risk has just recently been described. The role of high factor VIII (FVIII) levels is well documented. The risk of high FVIII levels for the first event is similarly high as that of APC resistance. There is a familiar background of high FVIII levels. Alterations within the FVIII or the von Willebrand factor genes seem to be not causal since polymorphisms of these genes are not associated with venous thromboembolism. An increased FVIII/VWF ratio indicates a reduced FVIII clearance. Probably, the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, i.e. the receptor mediating the hepatic clearance of the FVIII-VWF-complex, is involved. The well known prothrombin G20210A polymorphism is associated with high prothrombin levels perhaps contributing to thrombosis risk via clot resistance against fibrinolysis.

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction01:30

Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction

Venous thrombosis, the most common disorder of the veins, involves the formation of a thrombus or blood clot associated with vein inflammation. It can be classified as either superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.Superficial Vein Thrombosis: This involves the formation of a thrombus in a superficial vein, usually the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Though less severe than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), SVT can lead to complications if untreated.Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This...
Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis01:20

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis

Blood clotting or coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which ultimately merge into the common pathway, forming a fibrin clot.
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...