Summary
For laboratory control of oral anticoagulation, amidolytic factor X (F X) determination
may offer an alternative to standardization difficulties of prothrombin time (PT).
In order to validate this amidolytic assay on a large scale, a multicenter study was
undertaken in 6 French laboratories using the same chromogenic substrate (Stachrom
X Stago) and different automated instruments. Intra and between laboratory reproducibility
of factor X was estimated on fresh and lyophilized patients plasmas and was found
to be highly satisfactory. Standardization of the method did not seem to depend on
the chromogenic substrate used, as investigated in two different centers. Results
of PT and factor X were compared in over 500 patients on a longterm stabilized oral
anticoagulant treatment: there was a strong positive correlation between the 2 tests
in each center. The therapeutic range for factor X was evaluated from therapeutic
PT values reported by Duckert and Marbet for the different thromboplastin reagents:
the estimated mean range was 21 to 32%.
Pooling the results of the six different centers a concordant information for prothrombin
time and factor X amidolytic assay was found in 76% of patients and a fully discordant
response was present in 0.6%. The results suggest that amidolytic factor X may be
suitable for monitoring long-term anticoagulation. However, prospective trials are
needed to evaluate its usefulness as compared to conventional methods.
Keywords
Oral anticoagulation - Chromogenic substrate - Amidolytic factor X - Prothrombin time