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Living with Congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 deficiency

A rare inherited bleeding disorder that causes bleeding after injury to last longer than usual.

Understanding Congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 deficiency

Congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 deficiency (complete PAI-1 deficiency) is an inherited bleeding disorder.

Bleeding after injury can be excessive and last longer than usual. People may have long nosebleeds, bleeding after medical or dental procedures, easy bruising, and bleeding into joints or soft tissues after even a minor injury. Females may have heavy periods and bleeding in pregnancy and childbirth. Some people develop scar tissue in the heart (cardiac fibrosis). It can start at a variety of ages.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Bleeding that lasts after minor injury
  • Easy bruising (bleeding below the skin)
  • Heavy periods (menorrhagia)
  • Prolonged bleeding after surgery
  • Nosebleeds
  • Bleeding into joints

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in SERPINE1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with National Bleeding Disorders Foundation
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Would SERPINE1 gene testing help our family?
What should I do to plan for surgery, dental work, or childbirth?
Which specialist, such as a bleeding disorders clinic, should I see?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually starta variety of ages
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesSERPINE1

It is caused by changes in the SERPINE1 gene. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticBlood

Also known as: congenital pai-1 deficiency; hyperfibrinolysis due to pai1 deficiency

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 deficiencyGARD ID 4381 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 deficiency.

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