[Blood coagulation-fibrinolysis tests by a biochemical method]

Blood coagulation-fibrinolysis factors are conventionally measured using fibrinogen or fibrin as a natural substrate. With recent advances in the technology to biochemically separate and purify, individual coagulation-fibrinolysis factors were isolated and purified, and their biochemical properties, function, and primary structure were clarified. Measurement techniques for blood coagulation-fibrinolysis factors were also developed. At present, enzyme activity for each factor is measured by the synthetic substrate method, on the other hand trace proteins and complex proteins are measured using monoclonal antibody. We present an outline of blood coagulation-fibrinolysis factors and synthetic substrates, and describe the characteristics of the synthetic substrate method using measurement of plasma tissue factor and protein C activity as examples.