Determination of tissue thromboplastin activity

The one-stage prothrombin time test for tissue thromboplastin activity was evaluated using the correction method. A strong influence of the intrinsic system was seen depending on the clotting time and the type of tubes. This test was unsuitable for quantitative comparison of thromboplastin activity of different preparations. Subsequently a two-stage assay for human thromboplastin is described using purified human factor VII, artifically prepared factor VII reagent, and a phospholipid suspension. The correction method, applicated to this two-stage assay, resulted in a rectilinear dose-response curve when the clotting times of a thromboplastin dilution series were plotted against the reciprocal of the concentrations. Using this test system it could be shown that thromboplastin from porcine tissue can activate human factor VII quite well, while that from bovine tissue cannot.