Coagulation Proteins Influencing Global Coagulation Assays in Cirrhosis: Hypercoagulability in Cirrhosis Assessed by Thrombomodulin-Induced Thrombin Generation Assay

BACKGROUND: Liver disease is accompanied by profound hemostatic disturbances. We investigated the influences of pro- and anticoagulation factors on global coagulation tests including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin generation assay (TGA) in cirrhosis. We also investigated whether cirrhotic patients exhibit hypo- or hypercoagulability using the TGA. METHODS: The TGA was performed on a calibrated automated thrombogram, given lag time, endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), and peak thrombin in 156 cirrhotic patients and 73 controls. RESULTS: PT was determined according to the factor (F) II, FV, FVII, FIX, and protein C levels. We observed that aPTT was dependent on FII, FIX, and FX levels. The ETP was dependent on FII, antithrombin, and protein C with 5 pM tissue factor (TF) stimulation, and FIX and protein C at 1 pM TF. The ETP ratio with 1 pM TF increased significantly in cirrhosis, indicating hypercoagulability, whereas that with 5 pM TF did not increase in cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: PT and the TGA are sensitive to protein C levels. Even with prolonged PT, the TGA can detect hypercoagulability in cirrhosis. Further studies should evaluate global coagulation status in cirrhosis patients using the newly devised TGA system.