Summary
Hypofibrinolysis, as defined by an absent or deficient increase in blood or plasma
fibrinolytic activity after an appropriate stimulus, has been known to be present
in patients following an episode of deep venous thrombosis for over 30 years. The
usual stimulus is 10 min of venous occlusion using a blood pressure cuff inflated
to a pressure midway between systolic and diastolic pressures. The early screening
fibrinolytic assays were relatively insensitive in detecting fibrinolytic system hypofunction
and lacked standardization.
Supported in part by the Medical Research Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs.