The blood F VIII:Ag/F VIII:C ratio as an early indicator of deep venous thrombosis during post-traumatic immobilization.
Twenty-two consecutive patients with spinal fractures (eight with spinal cord injuries) were studied. All patients were immobilized in bed for 6 weeks after trauma. The occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was detected by the 125I-labeled fibrinogen test and confirmed by venography. F VIII:C, F VIII:Ag, and AT III activities were determined 2, 6, and 10 to 12 days after trauma. All paralyzed patients (n = 8) developed DVT and two of them had pulmonary embolism within 5 days after trauma. F VIII:Ag and F VIII:C disproportionally increased and the values of F VIII:Ag/F VIII:C ratio above 2 predicted DVT. AT III remained normal during the whole immobilization time and the values of DVT(+) and DVT(-) groups were comparable.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014841:von Willebrand Factor
D000941:Antigens; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005169:Factor VIII