Summary
Plasma F.S.F. activity was measured by a quantitative technique in 41 patients with renal failure. It was subnormal in 35, being undemonstrable in 32.
There was no significant difference in activity between patients with acute and patients with chronic renal failure, and co-existing jaundice had no significant effect on plasma F. S. F. activity.
Plasma fibrinogen concentrations were frequently increased. Patients with the highest levels of plasma fibrinogen tended to retain demonstrable F.S.F. activity.
Plasma F.S.F. activity was not related to the height of the blood urea.
Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis had no significant effect on plasma F.S.F. activity.
Plasma F.S.F. activity returned to normal following recovery of acute renal failure.
Diminished plasma F.S.F. activity did not appear to be responsible for abnormal haemorrhage although it may act as a contributory factor.
It is suggested that impaired fibrin stabilization might be responsible for abnormal wound healing in uraemia.