Starting the Clotting Process
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) inhibits a complex that starts the process of clotting. 60-80% of TPFI is bound to the lining of the blood vessels, with only 20% free to circulate in the blood.
Recent evidence suggests that low levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor are a risk factor for a blood clot. Interestingly, different forms of the tissue factor pathway inhibitor gene have been found that result in higher levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor in the circulation.