Factor V (Quebec): a bleeding diathesis associated with a qualitative platelet Factor V deficiency.

Studies were performed on a French-Canadian family afflicted with a bleeding disorder exhibiting an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and a severe bleeding diathesis after trauma. Clinical laboratory coagulation tests were unimpressive; the only persistent abnormalities include mild thrombocytopenia and moderately reduced Factor V clotting activities. Some individuals had prolonged Stypven times when platelet-rich plasma was used, suggesting that their platelets could not support functional prothrombinase complex assembly. Detailed studies were performed by use of plasma and isolated, washed platelets from a sister and brother. Bioassay data indicate that both individuals had Factor V activities of approximately 40 and 36% of normal, respectively. A comparison of the Factor V radioimmunoassay and bioassay data on the brother's plasma indicated that the circulating amount of Factor V functional activity was low relative to Factor V antigen concentration (approximately 65-75%). In both individuals, the platelet Factor V functional activities were extremely low (2-4%) relative to antigen levels present as determined by radioimmunoassay. These discrepancies between Factor V activities and antigen concentration do not appear to be due to an unstable Factor V molecule or to the presence of a Factor V or Factor Va inhibitor or inactivator. Kinetics of prothrombin activation by use of purified clotting factors indicated that thrombin-activated platelets from both individuals supported prothrombinase complex assembly identical to controls in the presence of added purified Factor Va. Consequently, their bleeding diathesis appears to reflect their platelet, rather than their plasma, Factor V activity. These results suggest that platelet Factor V is an essential component in maintaining stable and prolonged hemostasis after trauma.