Factor VII in liver cirrhosis.

Factor VII activity and factor VII cross-reacting material (CRM) in plasma of patients with liver cirrhosis have been studied before and after vitamin K1 parenteral administration. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the absence (group I) or the presence (group II) of the following clinical findings: ascites, portal hypertension, encephalopathy. Factor VII activity and CRM show a statistically significant correlation (p less than 0.001) in all patients. In group II, significantly reduced levels of both activity and CRM were found as compared to the reference and the group I values. No variations were found after vitamin K administration. Different thromboplastins, investigated with respect to their sensitivity for factor VII, acted differently. Patients with normal albumin levels also showed normal levels of factor VII activity and antigen. No correlation was found in group II. The data discussed suggest that in liver cirrhosis with unknown aetiology no immunologically detectable precursor of factor VII is present.