Clinical background:
Factor V Leiden is a variant form of human factor V that is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Due to the mutation, in which arginine is replaced with glutamine, activated protein C is unable to bind normally to activated factor V and downregulate the prothrombotic action, resulting in an increased thrombotic tendency. Factor V Leiden is the most common hereditary hypercoagulability disorder amongst ethnic Europeans
Specimen container paediatric:
Light blue – sodium citrate (semi-transparent cap)
Specimen container adult:
Light blue- sodium citrate
Minimum volume paediatric:
Single whole blood sample
Minimum volume adult:
Single whole blood sample
Sample stability:
7 days at 4°C
Transport requirements:
Samples should be transported to the laboratory without delay
Freq analysis:
Fortnightly or urgent as required
Add on test:
[email protected] (external)
Quality assurance:
UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation
Reference ranges:
Prevalence in general population 5%
Prevalence in patients presenting with DVT or PE 30%
Other info:
Thrombotic risk
Heterozygote 4 to 8 fold increase
Homozygote 40 to 80 fold increase
Increased risk of thrombosis in pregnancy
Increased risk with Oestrogen containing oral contraception