The clinical significance of increased plasma levels of liver-synthesized coagulation factors in liver disease.

The first plasma Factor II-VII-X value after admission to the hospital was higher than 90% in 29% of 38 common duct stone patients, in 9% of 33 patients with bile duct obstruction due to pancreatic carcinoma, and in 3 of 5 patients with cholestatic drug reaction. In contrast, the admission value was above 90% in only one of 89 patients with acute hepatitis and in none of 8 patients with a hepatocellular drug reaction. Therefore, a high plasma Factor II-VII-X activity in a patient with liver or biliary tract disease seems to be a reliable indicator of surgical disease. It is suggested that the high levels are explained by an increased protein synthesis in the liver.