Summary
Pooled plasma of patients under stable oral anticoagulation has been analysed with
respect to the presence of the vitamin-K dependent factors (factors II, VII, IX and
X). Of all factors 1.5-2 times more antigen than procoagulant activity was present.
The concentration of factors II, X (measured spectrophotometrically) and VII is about
0.25 U/ml while factor IX is slightly higher. Coagulation assays of factor X always
gave lower values than the spectrophotometric assay. This discrepancy was not influenced
by the removal of either factor II-factor VII- or factor IX antigen. However, when
the factor X antigen was replaced by normal factor X, all factor X assays gave identical
results, indicating that PIVKA X is responsible for these discrepancies. Using the
technic of the Thrombotest-dilution curve it was shown that PIVKA X is the factor
that causes the abnormal prolongation of ox-brain prothrombin time in these plasmas.
Keywords
Oral anticoagulation - PIVKA X - Inhibitor