FACTOR X ACTIVITY AND ANTIGEN
FACTOR X ASSAYS
Coagulation Factor X (Stuart Prower Factor, FX) is a vitamin K dependent protein produced by the liver. It has a central position in the coagulation cascade. Factor X is activated both by the extrinsic and intrinsic systems before exerting its effect on the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.
Patients who need anticoagulation therapy can be treated with warfarin, which is a vitamin K antagonist. This treatment leads to a decrease in all vitamin K dependent clotting factors and thus a prolonged clotting time of blood. The therapy requires careful monitoring since it is essential to find an optimal balance between risk of thrombosis and risk of bleeding for each patient.
