Quantitative estimation of coagulation factors in liver disease. The diagnostic and prognostic value of factor XIII, factor V and plasminogen.

20 coagulation parameters were investigated in 144 patients with different liver diseases. The groups of acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were compared and the prognostic value of the coagulation analyses investigated. It is clear that the determination of the factor V activity is a good and easy test for detection of actual liver function. Repeated controls over several weeks revealed with a statistical significance (p less than 0.0005) that all patients with a factor XIII below 35% and a plasminogen below 19% will die in liver coma, if they have not died beforehand from acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage, acute infection or cardiac arrest. Plasminogen is also lower in the group of non-survivors but the values of the two groups are overlapping and of no prognostic help in a single case. The possible causes of the diminution of factor XIII activity are discussed.