title: Issues with the assay of factor VIII activity in plasma and factor VIII concentrates.
abstract: A review of the literature suggests that assays accurate for the determination of factor VIII in plasma samples may not necessarily retain this accuracy when used for the determination of factor VIII in high-purity factor VII concentrates such as Hemofil M. Review of assay data suggests that it is imperative to obtain maximal activation of the factor VIII in the sample with thrombin when using an assay system of isolated coagulation factors such as the two-stage assay or the various chromogenic substrate assays. Based on a combination of ease and reproducibility of performance and correlation of in vivo and in vitro measurements. it is recommended that the one-stage activated partial thromboplastin time performed with plasma from an individual with severe hemophilia A be used for the measurement of factor VIII potency. Chromogenic substrate assays can be used if care is taken to assure optimal activation of factor VIII by thrombin in the assay and the presence of sufficient factor IXa, phospholipid and calcium ions to stabilize factor VIIIa during the assay process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. r.lundblad@worldnet.att.net
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Lundblad
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kingdon
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000592:standards*; D002863:Chromogenic Compounds / Q000592:standards; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D002863:Chromogenic Compounds; D005169:Factor VIII