Résumé
The diversity of the clotting abnormalities in liver diseases proves the importance of normal liver for maintenance of normal haemostasis. This study was designed to estimate the plasma levels of the vitamin- K dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X and the coagulant inhibitor protein C in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Thirty seven patients with Child's grade A liver cirrhosis, selected from the admittes of the Tropical Medicine Department, El-Minia University Hospital and 23 matched healthy controls were recruited in the study. Each patient and control was subjected to complete clinical history and examination, abdominal ultrasonography, complete blood picture, routine liver function tests and hepatitis markers [HBSAg and HCV Abies]. The plasma was separated for estimation of the prothrombin [PT], partial thromboplastin time [PTT]; coagulation factors and protein C assay [using Asserachrom protein C kits] .It was found that the mean plasma levels of factor II, X and protein C significantly decreased in patients with liver cirrhosis than controls. The mean plasma levels of factor VII and IX were less in patients than controls but the differences were not statistically significant. There was a significant negative correlation between the prothrombin time and factor II, X and protein C, while the correlations with the other factors tested were insignificant. No significant correlation was found between the PTT and all the tested coagulation factors and protein C. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between the platelets count and factor II, VII, IX. It can be concluded that the coagulation factors II and X are significantly affected early in compensated liver cirrhosis. The levels of these factors correlated significantly with the convention coagulation screening test e.g PT. The decreased level of the anticoagulant protein C probably reflects decreased hepatic synthetic function rather than thrombotic tendency