Soluble fibrin complexes, fibrin degradation products, and anti-thrombin III levels were determined in the plasma of 20 patients undergoing elective total hip replacement. The presence of deep venous thrombophlebitis was determined by venography at the end of the first postoperative week. Patients who developed thrombosis exhibited impairment of fibrinolysis as de-Patients who developed thrombosis exhibited impairment of fibrinolysis as detected levels of anti-thrombin III and soluble fibrin complexes were not useful in indicating the presence of deep venous thrombosis. However, the preoperative level of soluble fibrin complexes closely correlated with the subsequent development of thrombosis. Elevated soluble fibrin complexes appear to identify a group of patients with activated coagulation systems who are prone to develop thrombosis during total hip replacement.

Antithrombin III↗

PubMed1976

Plasma heparin neutralizing activity in coronary artery disease.

Platelets contain heparin neutralizing activity that is released into plasma after platelet aggregation. Increased amounts of plasma heparin neutralizing activity were found in patients with acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris and stable arteriographically confirmed coronary artery disease. Plasma heparin neutralizing activity levels provide additional evidence for a role of platelet aggregation in coronary artery disease.

Angina Pectoris↗

PubMed1976

Hereditary antithrombin III deficiency. Effect of antithrombin III deficiency on platelet function.

Antithrombin III (AT III) is the main physiologic inhibitor of thrombin, and activated factors X and IX as well. Normal levels of AT III appear to be necessary to maintain blood fluidity and to prevent thrombosis. Four families with AT III deficiency and recurrent venous thromboembolism have been reported on. We present an additional family with AT III deficiency and a high incidence of thromboembolism. AT III levels were determined by both a functional and an immunologic assay. Results of platelet function tests, not previously reported in persons with AT III deficiency, were found to be normal. Following gel filtration, the platelets were very sensitive to thrombin. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation appears to be dependent on a balance between the amount of thrombin and AT III present.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Activation of the coagulation system in polycythemia vera.

Thrombosis is one of the major complications of polycythemia vera. Seventeen patients with polycythemia vera in good hematologic control were evaluated for abnormalities of the coagulation system. Activation of the intrinsic coagulation cascade was suggested by low levels of factor XII, prekallikrein, and kallikrein inhibitors in 12 of 17 patients. The group also demonstrated a significant increase in soluble fibrin complexes using plasma gel filtration on 4% agarose. Fibrin degradation products were normal and antithrombin III levels were slightly elevated. It appears that patients with polycythemia vera have chronic activation of the coagulation system, probably initiated by activation of factor XII. No correlation between the degree of coagulation abnormalities and thromboembolic complications was evident in this group of patients.

Antithrombins↗

PubMed1976

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complicating chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Three patients had severe, symptomatic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) complicating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that was refractory to prednisone treatment but that responded to splenectomy alone or in addition to immunosuppressive-cytotoxic treatment. Evidence of high titer of an antiplatelet factor, most likely an antibody, was corroborated in one case by the 14C-platelet serotonin release assay. This experience suggests that the treatment of ITP complicating CLL is similar to that of ITP not associated with lymphoproliferative disorders.

Blood Cell Count↗

PubMed1975