Endogenous Thrombin Potential in Platelet-Rich Plasma — New Insights Regarding the Different Action of FVIII and FIX

Abstract

The cascade model of coagulation [1] has been used for the last 38 years to describe the coagulation process. In the new cell-based model of blood coagulation [2] activated platelets play an important role, because the surface of activated platelets provides the platform for the assembly of the tenase and prothrombinase complexes catalyzing the generation of activated factor Xa and IIa. In this model patients with hemophilia A or B have a markedly decreased ability to generate F Xa on the platelet surface followed by an insufficient thrombin generation. To describe the process oinsufficient thrombin generation we measured the thrombin generation in platelet-rich plasma in patients with severe and moderate forms of hemophilia A and B. The aim of our investigations was to describe especially the role of platelets in the thrombin generation process.