ProC Global - a Laboratory Screening Test for Thrombophilia

Overview

Coagulation testy to assess the risk of haemorrhage have been used for decades. Till recently we did not possess however a laboratory test which will draw attention to the risk of thrombosis under stressful conditions. Such a test could be ProC® Global of Dade Boehring Co., a functional global screening test for assessment of the anticoagulant kapacity of the protein C system. The estimations esere made in a group of subjects with thrombophilia and the physiological range was tested in a control group. The sensitivity of the test for Leiden's mutation of the V factor (FVL) in the investigated group was 96.15%. The sensitivity for reduction of the activity of protein C and S resp. below 60% was 75% and 53.57% resp. The general sensitivity to defects in the protein C system was 87.65%.The ProC Global test is useful as a screening for FVL in risk situations (e.g. before major surgical operations) or if genetic examination is not readily available. Sensitivity to protein C, and in particular protein S, is not sufficient to use the test as a diagnostic test for these defects in subjects suffering from thrombophilia. The application of PCG in combination with assessment of antithrombin activity, the fibrinogen level and basic coagulation examinations (aPTT, PT, number of thrombocytes) covers the majority of thrombophilic haemostatic defects known at present.

Key words:
thrombophilia - screening testy - ProC Global.