Activity of coagulation and fibrinolytic system components in the vein thrombus.

PURPOSE Behaviour of the vein thrombus is determined by the activity ratio of coagulation factors to factors of fibrinolytic system. The aim of the study is to evaluate activity of some coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in the vein thrombus. MATERIAL AND METHODS The activity of platelets aggregating factors, tissue factor, thrombin, antithrombins, antiheparin factors, plasminogen activators, plasmin (plasminogen) and antiplasmins of the vein thrombus homogenate was determined using coagulative, fibrinolytic and caseinolytic tests. Retracted blood clot was a compared material. RESULTS Tissue factor activity in the vein thrombus was above twofold higher and antiheparin activity was nearly twice higher in comparison to the blood clot. The vein thrombus contains also active thrombin. Plasminogen activators activity in the vein thrombus was twofold higher and activity of plasmin (plasminogen) was threefold higher than in the blood clot. High activity of the tissue factor, substances neutralizing heparin and presence of thrombin intensify the thrombus enlargement. However, the thrombotic tendency may be balanced by a high activity of plasminogen activators and high activity of plasmin (plasminogen). CONCLUSIONS 1) Vein thrombus is characterized by high activity of tissue factor, presence of active thrombin and high antiheparin activity. 2) High coagulative potential of vein thrombus is balanced to a certain grade by high fibrinolytic potential: high activity of plasminogen activators and high activity of plasmin (plasminogen), as well as absence of antiplasmins activity.