Acquired Factor VII Deficiency Presenting with Bleeding Diathesis in a 52-Year-Old Black Man in Botswana.

BACKGROUND

Factor VII is one of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors synthesized in the liver and has a short circulating half-life of 4 - 5 hours.

METHODS

We report a case of a 52-year-old black man who presented with life-threatening bleeding from multiple sites.

RESULTS

We determined that it was caused by acquired factor VII deficiency of less than 5%. He had a septic pelvic focus which was managed empirically with antibiotics. The bleeding was stopped by fresh frozen plasma and factor VII plasma levels gradually increased to normal levels over the course of 4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

We emphasize the importance of extensive evaluation including septic, autoimmune, and malignant work-up in patients with new onset acquired bleeding.