Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Tail Vein Transection Bleeding Model in Fully Anesthetized Hemophilia A Mice
Published on: September 30, 2021
Factor XI deficiency and obstetrical anesthesia
Amarjeet Singh1, Miriam J Harnett, Jean M Connors
1Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is a rare inherited coagulation disorder associated with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. The severity of bleeding often does not correlate with plasma factor levels. We reviewed the medical and anesthetic records of 13 parturients with FXI deficiency that presented for delivery. Nine cases were managed with neuraxial anesthesia. (epidural, seven; spinal, one; combined spinal-epidural, one). Three received general anesthesia for cesarean delivery, and one had an unmedicated vaginal delivery. Baseline factor levels ranged from severe (<15%) to mild (near 50%) deficiency. Fresh frozen plasma was administered to correct activated partial thromboplastin time in most, but not all, cases. Hematology consultation was obtained for all. No hematological or anesthetic complications were noted. FXI deficiency is not an absolute contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia, provided appropriate hematology consultation has been obtained, and factor replacement is provided as guided by clinical and laboratory hemostatic evaluation.
Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is a rare inherited coagulation disorder associated with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. The severity of bleeding often does not correlate with plasma factor levels. We reviewed the medical and anesthetic records of 13 parturients with FXI deficiency that presented for delivery. Nine cases were managed with neuraxial anesthesia. (epidural, seven; spinal, one; combined spinal-epidural, one). Three received general anesthesia for cesarean delivery, and one had an unmedicated vaginal delivery. Baseline factor levels ranged from severe (<15%) to mild (near 50%) deficiency. Fresh frozen plasma was administered to correct activated partial thromboplastin time in most, but not all, cases. Hematology consultation was obtained for all. No hematological or anesthetic complications were noted. FXI deficiency is not an absolute contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia, provided appropriate hematology consultation has been obtained, and factor replacement is provided as guided by clinical and laboratory hemostatic evaluation.
Related Concept Videos
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
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...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.