A new automated method for continuous registration of factor VII activation in vitro. Activation is accelerated by the concentration of factor VII and the activity state of the protein.

When a plasma sample is exposed to tissue factor, single-chain factor VII (FVII) is gradually converted to the active two-chain form (FVIIa). In the present study, we have constructed a measurement system, which allows continuous registration of the activation of FVII to FVIIa in vitro. In this system, FVII activation follows parabolic kinetic after an initial lag-phase. The slope of the linear phase is a measure of the protein concentration of factor VII (FVIItotal), while the length of the non-linear phase represents the velocity of FVII activation. The time required for complete activation of FVII is inversely related to both FVIItotal and the relative amount of FVIIa in the sample. In future studies, this new measurement system will make it possible to study the process of FVII activation in different samples, and to examine how varying concentrations of exogenous added components affect the activation process in vitro.