Hypercoagulability Syndrome Due to Heparin Co-Factor Deficiency

Summary

A case of hypercoagulability syndrome in a 35 years old male is reported. An abnormal heparin resistance was found which could be defined by means of a heparin clot-inhibition test as a deficiency in heparin co-factor. The required anticoagulant doses of heparin were forty times as high as in cases with intact heparin co-factor. The factor seemed to be used up in the process of coagulation, as plasma, but not serum, was able to correct the deficiency in vitro. Plasma infusions were helpful for four days, but a complete recovery was achieved only after an intensive course of fever therapy.

The phenomenon of blood clotting should be regarded as a dynamic process which is facilitated by an array of clot promoting factors and opposed by a system of natural anticoagulants.

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