Coagulation factor VII. (Biochemistry, role in blood coagulation, methods of assay, congenital deficiencies and relationship with thrombosis)

Factor VII is a trace plasma protein which is very reactive and can be activated through several enzymatic pathways. It has been postulated that factor VII has all the features of an initiator of the clotting mechanism. The severe congenital deficiency of factor VII is characterized by a clinical picture which is not distinguishable from that observed in hemophilias. The presence of factor alpha-VIIa in the circulation in clinical conditions associated with thrombosis leads to the assumption that this factor, when activated, may play an important role in thrombogenesis. The variants of factor VII congenital deficiency and the methods currently employed to assay factor VII in various conditions are reviewed.