Conventional Fibrinolytic Assays for the Evaluation of Patients with Venous Thrombosis: Don’t Bother

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.

• References

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