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Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Measurement of Factor V Activity in Human Plasma Using a Microplate Coagulation Assay
Published on: September 9, 2012
Prothrombin Time and Coagulation Factor IX as Hemostatic Risk Markers for Legg- Calvé-Perthes Disease
Edgar Hernández-Zamora1, Armando Odiseo Rodríguez-Olivas2, Erika Rosales-Cruz2
1Genomic Medicine, 61663Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INR-LGII), México City, México.
Insights
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) may be linked to blood clotting disorders. Research indicates altered prothrombin time and elevated clotting factors in LCPD patients, suggesting hypercoagulable states contribute to femoral head necrosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Hematology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a pediatric hip disorder characterized by avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
- The exact cause of LCPD remains unknown, with ongoing debate regarding the role of coagulation abnormalities.
- Limited laboratory data exists to aid in LCPD diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential links between hemostasis disorders and LCPD.
- To identify laboratory markers that could assist in the diagnosis and management of LCPD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of blood and plasma samples from 25 LCPD patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Evaluation of complete blood count, coagulation times, coagulation factors activity, antithrombotic proteins, and homocysteine levels.
Main Results:
- Significant differences observed in thrombophilia risk markers between LCPD patients and controls.
- Elevated levels of Factor V (FV), Factor VIII (FVIII), Factor IX (FIX), and homocysteine (Hcy) were noted in LCPD patients.
- Reduced prothrombin time was also observed in the LCPD group.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a hypercoagulable state in LCPD patients, potentially leading to microthrombi and avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
- The study supports the hypothesis that hemostasis dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of LCPD.
- The laboratory tests employed are deemed valuable for LCPD diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Background:
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a pediatric disorder that occurs due to the avascular necrosis of the femoral head and affects the range of motion of the hip in various degrees. Its etiology is still unknown, although it has been associated with coagulation abnormalities, however, the lack of reproducibility in the results in various studies has created a controversy as to whether hemostasis disorders are related to LCPD. On the other hand, there is little information on laboratory studies that could facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of LCPD.
Methods:
Blood and plasma samples were tested from 25 patients with LCPD and 50 healthy controls, matched by sex and age. Cellular markers were evaluated through complete blood count, as well as coagulation times, coagulation factors activity, antithrombotic proteins, and homocysteine concentration.
Results:
After assessing activity value frequencies in each group, the results showed more significant activity in some of the biological risk markers of thrombophilia, presenting a substantial difference in prothrombin time↘, FV↗, FVIII↗, FIX↗, and Hcy↗. These values imply that there may be hypercoagulable states in patients, which can cause thrombotic events.
Conclusions:
Diminished prothrombin time and increase in FV activity, FVIII, FIX, and Hcy concentration support the hypothesis that microthrombi formation in small-caliber vessels could be causing avascularity and femoral necrosis, which are traits of LCPD. In addition, based on our results, we believe that the laboratory studies carried out are very useful in the diagnosis and treatment of LCPD.
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