The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is initiated when
tissue factor complexes with
factor VII. A naturally occurring
protein inhibitor of this complex,
tissue factor pathway inhibitor (
TFPI), has recently been isolated and the
cDNA coding for this
protein cloned. We used a rabbit ear artery model of crush/avulsion injury and microvascular repair to investigate the efficacy of
TFPI as a topically applied
antithrombotic agent. Traumatized arteries treated through lumenal irrigation with
normal saline vehicle (controls) achieved patency rates of 8% and 0% at 1 and 7 postoperative days, respectively.
Heparin irrigation (10 U/ml) resulted in patencies of 40% at both evaluation times. In contrast,
TFPI at a dose of 20 micrograms/ml (0.2 ml total volume; 10 minute exposure) yielded
a 91% patency rate at 1 day and 73% at 7 days postoperatively (p < 0.0005 vs controls). Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values were not altered after topical treatment with
TFPI. Scanning electron microscopy revealed dramatically inhibited thrombogenesis upon the injured surfaces of
TFPI-treated vessels. These results suggest that
TFPI used as a topically applied
antithrombotic agent is effective for the prevention of
thrombosis in microvascular anastomoses.