Determination of the minimal concentrations of contact activation factors in deficient substrate plasmas required to assess accurately factor XII, factor XI, factor IX, and high molecular weight kininogen.
Using combined deficient plasmas prepared by passage of a deficient plasma over an anti-factor XI-monoclonal antibody column, we have determined the threshold concentrations of each coagulation factor of contact phase in factor-deficient substrate plasmas required to determine accurately the functional activities of factor XII, factor XI, factor IX and high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK). In order to reliably quantitate factor XI and factor IX activity levels, at least 20% factor XII and 20% factor XI, respectively, were required in the deficient substrate plasmas. In the assessment of factor XII activity, approximately 40% factor XI was required in the factor XII-deficient substrate plasma. On the other hand, only 11-12% factor XI or HMWK was required in the deficient substrate plasmas in the assessment of these two clotting factors. Our data emphasize that deficiencies of other clotting factors may reduce the apparent activity of the clotting factor in question if their concentration is rate-limiting in the clotting assay.