Summary
A new fibrin plate technic for evaluating components of the fibrinolytic system has
been developed. It provides quick, accurate, and easily interpreted results for the
fibrinolytic profile. The standardized human plasminogen-free fibrin plates can be
produced in bulk and stored for prolonged periods of time. A test specimen placed
in a well punched in the buffered agarose gel diffuses into the agar and lyses the
fibrin clot, forming a clear reaction zone. The zone diameter is directly proportional
to the log of the percent concentration of available fibrinolytic enzyme in the specimen.
The plates may be used to quantitate total plasminogen, and estimate available plasmin
and active plasmin. A good correlation between results obtained using these fibrin
plates and caseinolytic methods was found. Performance and interpretation of tests
of fibrinolysis done on these new fibrin plates indicate that it may be the most sensitive
technic available for clinical laboratory work.
