title: Protein C: a new plasma protein related to postoperative hypercoagulability.
abstract: Protein C is a vitamin-K dependent plasma protein, whose activation is catalyzed by alpha-thrombin. Unlike vitamin-K dependent coagulation factors, activated Protein C is an anticoagulant enzyme. Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the pathophysiology of Protein C in patients undergoing minor and major elective surgery. A third group of patients were operated for cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. Protein C levels have significantly decreased in all patients in third postoperative day, while this decrease occurred since the first postoperative day in the case of cancer patients. This suggests that Protein C is consumed after surgery in its anticoagulant and profibrinolytic activity. The acquired Protein C deficiency may be related to postoperative hypercoagulability and increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011486:Protein C; D012306:Risk; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D001798:Blood Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011486:Protein C