Factor VIII assay (two-stage chromogenic)
- Description
- Some mutations causing mild haemophilia A can give rise to clinically significant discrepancies between one-stage & two-stage FVIII assays. The two-stage assay involves first generating FXa in a reaction where the patient's FVIII is the rate limiting factor. The second stage involves reacting the FXa generated in the first stage with a chromogenic substrate generating a coloured product, the intensity of which is proportional the the FXa present, which itself is directly proportional to the FVIII actvity. The chromogenic assay is employed as our routine FVIII activity assay.
- Clinical details
- The complex orchestration of cellular and molecular participants of haemostasis achieves a crucial yet fine balance of procoagulant and anticoagulant mechanisms. Deficiency of a procoagulant integral to the molecular interplay converging on fibrin formation, such as FVIII, reduces ability to form clots and can give rise to a bleeding disorder.
- Related condition
- Reference range
50 - 150
- Units
- IU/dl
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Blood Sciences : St Thomas' Hospital
- Laboratory
- Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis
- Sample type and volume required
- External requests: Citrated platelet poor plasma 450µL x 1 aliquot Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
- Special sample instructions
The sample should be analysed or manipulated & stored in the laboratory within 4 hours of venepuncture. Please ensure sample tubes are filled exactly to the fill-line as underfilling creates a dilution error and leads to inaccurate results.
- Turnaround time
- 5 - 7 days
- Contacts
Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis Department
St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 2797
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 4th and 5th Floors
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHGuy’s Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 7188 ext. 53860
Guy’s Hospital
Southwark Wing – 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Outside core hours, contact Duty Haemostasis Biomedical Scientist