Spontaneous fibrinolysis in pulmonary embolism

Abstract

A B S T R A C r This study correlated levels of activated fibrinolysis with the presence, extent, and rate of resolution of angiographically documented pulmonary emboli. Pulmonary emboli demonstrable by angiography were associated with detectable fibrin split products in the serum of 24 of 25 patients. In the absence of increased fibrin split products, pulmonary emboli large enough to be demonstrated by angiography were found in only 2 of 25 positive pulmonary angiograms. Spontaneous resolution of pulmonary emboli could not be correlated with the the concentration or persistence of fibrin split products but did correlate well with the presence of a reversible precipitating cause.Thrombophlebitis in the absence of clinical evidence of pulmonary embolism was not associated with increased concentrations of fibrin split products in eight of nine patients. The one patient with increased fibrin split product concentration had evidence on lung scan of silent pulmonary embolism.

Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products in cerebrospinal fluid of patients admitted to a psychiatric unit

“…at rest, > 20 V±g/ml. after challenge by exercise or intravenous injection of adrenaline) occur in thrombotic, inflammatory, or neoplastic conditions which involve fibrin deposition or fibrinogen leakage (Ruckley et al, 1970;Wilson et al, 1971). To our knowledge, the presence of FDP in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been reported before.…”

Thrombolysis with a Combination of Small Doses of Streptokinase and Full Doses of Heparin

“…However, it is possible that a combination of heparin with low doses of plasminogen activator is less applicable to lysis of venous thrombi than lysis of pulmonary emboli. Measurement of serum fibrin-fibrinogen degradation product levels in patients with venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism [49] suggests that fibrin turnover is less in venous thrombosis than pulmonary embolism, so that the enhancing effect of heparin on lysis of venous thrombi may be less marked. Thus, it is possible that a regimen producing higher activator levels than those reached during our combined treatment schedule is more appropriate for venous thrombolysis.…”

Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis by Fixed Doses of a Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin (CY216)

“…Pre-and posttreatment venograms and perfusion lung scans were planned in all patients, and the scores of Marder et al [7] and Wilson et al [8], respectively, were assigned by two independent experts totally un aware of treatment received and day of tests.…”