Relative roles of tissue factor pathway inhibitor and antithrombin in the control of thrombogenesis.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) controls activation of blood coagulation while antithrombin (AT) regulates the final stage. Both inhibitors inhibit the intermediate stage of activation. Subnormal levels of TFPI increase the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in septic conditions, and the risk of occlusive thrombi over damaged vascular intima or fissured arteriosclerotic plaques. The risk of venous thrombosis is increased by subnormal AT or subnormal activity of the protein C system. In contrast, TFPI may be little involved in the control of deep venous thrombosis. Heparin strongly accelerates AT and releases TFPI to the blood. Both these effects may contribute to the antithrombotic effect of heparin. In septic DIG, heparin may contribute little to quench activation of coagulation. Once hereditary deficiency of TFPI is described, its biological role will be better understood.