Changes of coagulation factors IX, VIII, VII, X, and V in nephrotic syndrome.

Plasma procoagulant activities of factors IX, VIII, VII, IX, and V were determined in 21 adult patients with nephrotic syndrome of diverse etiologies. The studies were performed during the initial presentation and prior to institution of any therapy. Procoagulant activities of all these coagulation factors were found to be markedly elevated in a majority of the tested patients. Elevated factor VIII and factor V plasma procoagulant activities demonstrated in this study are in agreement with earlier investigations. None of our patients exhibited acquired factor IX deficiency, a publicized complication of nephrotic syndrome. Instead, the prevalent abnormality was increased plasma factor IX activity in these patients. Our results also suggest that previously reported increased combined factor VII-X activity in nephrotic syndrome is due to elevation of both factor VII and factor X activities.