Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
Factor VII (formerly known as proconvertin) is one of the central proteins in the coagulation cascade. It is an enzyme (EC 3.4.21.21) of the serine protease class.
The main role of factor VII (FVII) is to initiate the process of coagulation in conjunction with tissue factor (TF). Tissue factor is found on the outside of blood vessels – normally not exposed to the bloodstream. Upon vessel injury, tissue factor is exposed to the blood and circulating factor VII. Once bound to TF, FVII is activated to FVIIa by different proteases, among which are thrombin (factor IIa), activated factor X and the FVIIa-TF complex itself. The most important substrates for FVIIa-TF are Factor X and Factor IX.
The action of the factor is impeded by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), which is released almost immediately after initiation of coagulation. Factor VII is vitamin K dependent; it is produced in the liver. Use of warfarin or similar anticoagulants impairs its function.
The gene for factor VII is located on chromosome 13 (13q34).
Deficiency is rare (congenital proconvertin deficiency) and inherits recessively.
Recombinant human factor VIIa (NovoSeven, eptacog alfa [activated], ATC code B02BD08) has been introduced for use in uncontrollable bleeding in hemophilia patients (with Factor VIII or IX deficiency) who have developed inhibitors against replacement coagulation factor.
[tubepress mode=’tag’, tagValue=’Factor VII’]