Factor V Activity

TEST: 086249
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CPT: 85220
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Synonyms

  • Proaccelerin

Special Instructions

If the patient's hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer to Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions.

Expected Turnaround Time

2 - 3 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Information

Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Procedures for Hemostasis and Thrombosis: A Clinical Test Compendium

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Plasma, frozen

Volume

1 mL

Container

Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube

Collection

Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples unless the sample is collected using a winged (butterfly) collection system. With a winged blood collection set a discard tube should be drawn first to account for the dead space of the tubing and prevent under-filling of the evacuated tube.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternative anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes.

Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.

Storage Instructions

Freeze.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Frozen

28 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3

Patient Preparation

Ideally the patient should not be on anticoagulant therapy. Avoid warfarin (Coumadin®) therapy for two weeks prior to the test and heparin, direct Xa, and thrombin inhibitor therapies for about three days prior to testing. Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.

Causes for Rejection

Severe hemolysis; improper labeling; clotted specimen; specimen diluted with IV fluids; samples thawed in transit; improper sample type; sample out of stability

Test Details

Use

This test is used to evaluate an isolated prolonged PT or for evaluation when both the aPTT and PT are prolonged and to assess factor V activity level.6-8

Limitations

This test is not used for the diagnosis of factor V Leiden mutation. Direct Xa or thrombin inhibitor therapy may cause factitiously low results.

Methodology

Factor V activity is determined utilizing a prothrombin time (PT)-based one-stage clotting time assay. Factor V-depleted plasma is used as the substrate, and the clotting time with the patient plasma is compared to the clotting time of normal pooled plasma.

Additional Information

Factor V is a large (330 kilodalton) single-chain nonenzymatic cofactor that is synthesized in hepatocytes, megakaryocytes, and endothelial cells.6,7,9 Approximately 20% of the total factor V is carried in the α granules of platelets and is released when platelets are activated.6 The structure of factor V is similar to that of factor VIII.9 Factor V's plasma concentration is 7 mg/mL and half-life is about 15 to 36 hours. Factor V activation occurs by both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Factor V deficiency should be considered when a patient with bleeding history has both extended protime (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Congenital factor V deficiency, sometimes referred to as parahemophilia, is rare (less than one case per million individuals) and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.6,7,9 This condition affects both males and females and the prevalence of inherited factor V deficiency is equal in all ethnic groups.9 Factor V levels are decreased both in plasma and platelets.6 A syndrome of combined factor V and VIII deficiencies has been described in over 60 families in and around the Mediterranean basin.8

Symptoms (homozygotes) can include hematoma formation, postsurgical and postpartum hemorrhage, menorrhagia, hematuria, and umbilical cord hemorrhage.6,9 Factor V plasma activity <30% may result in excessive bleeding following a traumatic event.9 Unlike individuals with severe hemophilia, patients with factor V levels <1% do not typically develop spontaneous joint hemarthroses.6

Diminished factor V levels can be seen in liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) syndromes, and in other consumption coagulopathies.9,10 Specific factor V inhibitors can occur, especially after surgical procedures that involve multiple exposures to bovine topical thrombin.9 Postoperative treatment with aminoglycosides and penicillin has also been associated with development of factor V inhibitors.6,7 Inhibitors do not typically develop in individuals with factor V deficiency.6 One study found that elevated factor V activity may be associated with increased risk for myocardial infarction;11 however, a recent consensus conference of the College of American Pathologists on diagnostic issues in thrombophilia did not recommend measurement of factor V levels for the assessment of thrombotic risk.10

Footnotes

1. Adcock DM, Kressin DC, Marlar RA. Effect of 3.2% vs 3.8% sodium citrate concentration on routine coagulation testing. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jan; 107(1):105-110. 8980376
2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, Ng VL, Gottfried EL. Prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time due to underfilled specimen tubes with 109 mmol/L (3.2%) citrate anticoagulant. Am J Clin Pathol. 1998 Jun; 109(6):754-757. 9620035
3. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standardization. Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing and General Performance of Coagulation Assays; Approved Guideline. 5th ed. Villanova, Pa: NCCLS; 2008. Document H21-A5:28(5).
4. Gottfried EL, Adachi MM. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time can be performed on the first tube. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jun; 107(6):681-683. 9169665
5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, Norris WL, Doe RH, Ray H. Drawing specimens for coagulation testing: Is a second tube necessary? Clin Lab Sci. 1999 May-Jun; 12(3):137-139. 10539100
6. Roberts HR, Escobar MA. Less common congenital disorders of hemostasis. In: Kitchens CS, Alving BM, Kessler CM, eds. Consultative Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 2002: 57-71.
7. Triplett DA. Coagulation abnormalities. In: McClatchey KD, ed. Clinical Laboratory Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2002:1033-1049.
8. Ginsburg D, Nichols WC, Zivelin A, Kaufman RJ, Seligsohn U. Combined factors V and VIII deficiency−the solution. Haemophilia. 1998 Jul; 4(4):677-682. 9873813
9. Adcock DM, Bethel MA, Macy PA. Coagulation Handbook. Aurora, Colo: Esoterix−Colorado Coagulation; 2006.
10. Chandler WL, Rodgers GM, Sprouse JT, Thompson AR. Elevated hemostatic factor levels as potential risk factors for thrombosis. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2002 Nov; 126(11):1405-1414. 12421150
11. Redondo M, Watzke HH, Stucki B, et al. Coagulation factors II, V, VII, and X, prothrombin gene 20210G → A transition, and factor V Leiden in coronary artery disease: High factor V clotting activity is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1999 Apr; 19(4):1020-1025. 10195931

References

Adcock DM, Gosselin R. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the laboratory: 2015 review. Thromb Res. 2015 Jul; 136(1):7-12. 25981138

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
086249 Factor V Activity 3193-0 086249 Factor V Activity % 3193-0

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