Factor VII Activity Proconvertin Citrated plasma

Blood

Report in 48Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Coagulation factor activity measurement.

₹5,920₹8,457

30% OFF

Factor VII Activity Proconvertin Citrated Plasma - Comprehensive Medical Test Guide

1. Why is it done?
- Test measures the activity level of Factor VII (proconvertin), a vitamin K-dependent clotting factor essential for the initiation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway
- Primary indications include: evaluation of unexplained bleeding or bruising, assessment of coagulation disorders, monitoring anticoagulant therapy (warfarin), preoperative screening, and investigation of prolonged prothrombin time (PT/INR)
- Typically ordered when patients present with bleeding tendencies, or when routine coagulation studies show abnormal PT results requiring further investigation
- Commonly performed as part of comprehensive coagulation screening and perioperative assessment
- Used to differentiate between various clotting deficiencies and to monitor liver function and vitamin K status
2. Normal Range
- Normal reference range: 70-130% activity level (or 0.70-1.30 in decimal form)
- Units of measurement: Percentage (%) of normal activity or International Units (IU/mL)
- Note: Reference ranges may vary between laboratories; always compare results with the specific lab's reference values
- Results below 70%: Indicate Factor VII deficiency or reduced activity, suggesting increased bleeding risk
- Results above 130%: May indicate laboratory error, specific medical conditions, or reaction to anticoagulation reversal; generally less clinically significant than decreased levels
- Results within normal range: Support normal coagulation function via the extrinsic pathway, though normal Factor VII does not rule out other bleeding disorders
3. Interpretation
- Decreased Factor VII Activity (< 70%):
  - Congenital Factor VII deficiency (rare autosomal recessive disorder)
  - Vitamin K deficiency (impairs synthesis of vitamin K-dependent factors including Factor VII)
  - Liver disease (hepatic dysfunction impairs Factor VII synthesis)
  - Warfarin or other coumarin anticoagulant therapy (therapeutic effect)
  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) with consumption of clotting factors
  - Malabsorption disorders affecting vitamin K absorption
- Normal Factor VII Activity with Prolonged PT/INR:
  - Suggests deficiency of other factors in the extrinsic pathway (Factor V, Factor X, Factor II) or fibrinogen abnormalities
  - Indicates need for specific factor assays to identify the exact deficiency
- Factors Affecting Results:
  - Medications: Anticoagulants, antibiotics, aspirin, NSAIDs, and certain antimicrobial agents can affect Factor VII levels
  - Sample quality: Improper collection, insufficient citrate, clotting of sample, or hemolysis can invalidate results
  - Physiological states: Pregnancy, inflammation, and stress can elevate Factor VII activity
  - Laboratory methodology: Different reagents and testing platforms may produce slightly different values
- Clinical Significance:
  - Factor VII is one of the most vitamin K-dependent factors and has the shortest half-life (4-6 hours) among vitamin K-dependent factors, making it an early indicator of vitamin K deficiency or hepatic impairment
  - Severely reduced levels (< 20%) significantly increase bleeding risk; mild reductions may have minimal clinical impact
  - In warfarin therapy, Factor VII decline occurs before other factors, reflecting INR elevation
4. Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System: Hematopoietic and Hemostatic Systems
  - Factor VII is synthesized primarily in the liver and plays crucial role in blood coagulation cascade
- Liver Disease Associations:
  - Cirrhosis (advanced liver disease with reduced synthetic capacity)
  - Hepatitis (acute or chronic inflammation affecting hepatocyte function)
  - Fatty liver disease (NAFLD/AFLD with progressive hepatic dysfunction)
  - Fulminant hepatic failure (severe acute liver injury)
- Gastrointestinal Tract Involvement:
  - Celiac disease (compromises vitamin K absorption)
  - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (inflammatory conditions affecting nutrient absorption)
  - Biliary obstruction (impairs fat and vitamin K absorption)
  - Short bowel syndrome (reduced absorptive surface area)
- Potential Complications from Abnormal Results:
  - Spontaneous bleeding (mucosal bleeding, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intracranial bleeding in severe deficiency)
  - Excessive bleeding during surgical procedures or trauma
  - Hemarthrosis (joint bleeding) in severe congenital deficiency
  - Anemia from chronic blood loss in inadequately treated deficiency
5. Follow-up Tests
- If Factor VII is Decreased:
  - Prothrombin Time (PT/INR) - to assess overall extrinsic pathway function
  - Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) - to evaluate intrinsic and common pathways
  - Thrombin Time (TT) - to assess fibrinogen quality and quantity
  - Factor assays (Factor II, V, X) - to identify other coagulation factor deficiencies
  - Fibrinogen assay - to evaluate fibrinogen levels
  - Vitamin K level - to assess vitamin K status if deficiency is suspected
  - Liver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin) - to assess hepatic function
  - Prothrombin time after vitamin K administration - to differentiate vitamin K deficiency from other causes
- If Congenital Factor VII Deficiency is Suspected:
  - Genetic counseling and Factor VII gene sequencing for confirmation
  - Family screening of relatives for inherited Factor VII deficiency
  - Bleeding score assessment to evaluate clinical severity
- Monitoring Frequency for Ongoing Conditions:
  - Warfarin therapy: PT/INR monitored regularly (typically weekly initially, then monthly when stable); Factor VII activity indirectly reflected in INR
  - Liver disease: Monitor Factor VII activity as part of INR assessment; frequency depends on disease severity and clinical course
  - Vitamin K deficiency: Retest after treatment (typically 24-48 hours post-vitamin K administration)
  - Congenital Factor VII deficiency: Baseline assessment, then as clinically needed before invasive procedures or if bleeding occurs
- Related Complementary Tests:
  - Bleeding time - to assess platelet function in patients with bleeding history
  - Platelet count and blood smear - to evaluate primary hemostasis
  - Factor XIII assay - in cases of suspected combined factor deficiencies
  - D-dimer - if DIC is suspected as cause of Factor VII reduction
6. Fasting Required?
- Fasting: NO - fasting is not required for Factor VII activity testing
- Patient Preparation Requirements:
  - Patient should be in relaxed state; excessive stress or tourniquet time during collection may affect results
  - No special dietary restrictions are necessary
  - Patient should continue their regular diet including normal vitamin K intake unless specifically advised otherwise
- Medications to Avoid or Report:
  - Do NOT discontinue anticoagulant medications (warfarin, DOACs) without consulting physician
  - Inform laboratory/physician of all current medications including: anticoagulants, antibiotics, NSAIDs, aspirin, corticosteroids, and any herbal supplements
  - Report any recently started antibiotics, as certain antibiotics can affect vitamin K metabolism
- Special Instructions:
  - Specimen collection requires venipuncture into a sodium citrate tube (light blue top); proper tube fill ratio is critical for accurate results
  - Samples must be transported promptly to laboratory; plasma should be stored at room temperature or refrigerated (2-8°C) depending on laboratory protocol
  - Platelet count should ideally be >100,000/μL for valid coagulation testing; extreme leukocytosis or hemolysis may invalidate results
  - If multiple tubes are drawn, coagulation studies should be the last draw to avoid contamination or tissue fluid dilution

How our test process works!