High factor VIII levels and arterial thrombosis: illustrative case and literature review.

Thrombotic disorders are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in developing and developed countries. Several well-known genetic traits underlie predisposition to venous thrombosis. In particular, high factor VIII levels are a risk factor for venous thrombosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, similar insight into the genetic component of arterial thrombosis predisposition has not materialized fully, despite considerable effort. The authors present an illustrative case of a 32-year-old Saudi Arabian patient with peripheral arterial thrombosis whose only identifiable risk factor were high factor VIII levels. We also provide a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge concerning the role of high factor VIII levels in determining the risk of arterial thrombosis or ischemic heart disease (IHD). We conclude that high factor VIII levels are a risk factor for thrombosis, with a greater impact on venous than on arterial thrombosis. However, due to a lack of international consensus on methods for the laboratory testing of factor VIII levels in plasma, we would not currently recommend the measurement of factor VIII levels as part of routine thrombophilia screening.

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content and iron deficiency: a retrospective study in adults.

AIM: To evaluate the reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) in a total of 260 adult patients having anemia of chronic disease (ACD), iron deficiency anemia, and chronic renal failure (CRF) who enrolled at the King Khalid University Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). RESULTS: Results from this study showed that there was a significant correlation between the CHr and hematological parameters, like hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and red blood cell distribution. In addition, a significant correlation was seen between the CHr and biochemical parameters for iron status like serum iron, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The CHr, together with a complete blood count, may provide an alternative to the traditional hematological or biochemical panels for the diagnosis of absolute iron deficiency and functional iron deficiency in the case of ACD and the anemia associated with CRF.