BLOOD COAGULATION FACTOR VIII COMPLEX IN LIVER DISEASES

In order to study the clinical significance of blood coagulation factor VIII complex, procoagulant activity (VIII: C), related antigen (VIIIR: AG) and von Willebrand factor activity (VIIIR: WF) were measured in various liver diseases. Furthermore, qualitative abnormality of VIIIR: AG was investigated by the method of PAGE-CIE in cases of liver diseases. These three components were elevated in almost all cases of liver diseases. In accordance with the severity of liver damage, all components tended to be higher, however the ratio of VIII:C/VIIIR:AG was lower. In particular, in cases complicated by DIC, this ratio was significantly reduced due to the decrease of VIII: C. Qualitative abnormality of VIIIR: AG which might be caused by some protease activity was recognized in severe liver disease cases with or without DIC. Quantitative and qualitative determination of factor VIII is useful for the diagnosis of DIC in liver diseases.