factor VII

Definition: in the clotting of blood, also known as: proconvertin (Owren), convertin, serum prothrombin conversion accelerator (de Vries, Alexander), stable factor (Stefanini), cofactor V (Owren), prothrombinogen (Quick), cothromboplastin (Mann and Hurn), serum accelerator (Jacox). Factor VII forms a complex with tissue thromboplastin and calcium to activate factor X. Factor VII is known to be involved in: the congenital deficiency of factor VII, with purpura and bleeding from mucous membranes, autosomal recessive inheritance; the acquired deficiency of factor VII in association with a deficiency of vitamin K, neonatal patients, and the administration of prothrombinopenic drugs; the acquired excess of factor VII in some patients with thromboembolism. It accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, in the presence of tissue thromboplastin, calcium, and factor V.

Synonym(s): proconvertin, prothrombinogen, stable factor