fibrin and Empyema

Intrapleural fibrin deposition commonly accompanies pleural injury and may contribute to the organization of exudative pleural effusions, which leads to lung entrapment. Previous investigators have observed an increase in procoagulant proteins in pleural effusions but very little thrombin formation. FVa is the protein cofactor in the prothrombinase complex that dramatically enhances the generation of thrombin from prothrombin by the serine protease fXa. The presence of fVa within the pleural space could influence fibrin formation and pleural scarification. We examined pleural fluids obtained from patients who had lung cancer, CHF, and empyema for the presence of fV/fVa. The fV antigen was increased in exudative pleural fluids, in comparison with transudates. However, the specific activity of fV antigen present in exudates was significantly less than that observed for the lower concentration of antigen present in transudate and could not be activated to the same degree by thrombin. Immunoblots of fV antigen in exudates indicated that fV was partially cleaved and inactivated by unidentified proteases. We conclude that although fV is present in pleural fluid, it may be present in a degraded form, which may partially account for a lack of thrombin-generating capacity in these pleural fluids. The presence of fV does not necessarily correlate with pleural loculation.

Topics: Blood Coagulation Factors; Empyema; Factor V; Fibrin; Fibrinolysin; Glucose; Heart Failure; Humans; Immunoblotting; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lung Neoplasms; Molecular Weight; Pleural Effusion; Thrombin

The potential importance of pleural fibrin deposition in the pathogenesis of pleural injury is supported by both clinical and experimental observations. We hypothesized that the local equilibrium between procoagulant and fibrinolytic activities is disrupted to favor fibrin deposition in exudative pleuritis. To test this hypothesis, we characterized procoagulant and fibrinolytic activities in pleural exudates from patients with pneumonia, lung cancer, or empyema and transudates from patients with congestive heart failure. Procoagulant activity was generally increased in exudative processes and was due mainly to tissue factor. All effusions contained antithrombin III and inhibited factor Xa and thrombin, but endogenous prothrombinase or thrombin activities were variably detected. Pleural fluid fibrinolytic activity was increased in congestive heart failure and was due to both tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase. Depressed fibrinolytic activity was found in pleural exudates despite increased concentrations of plasminogen, mainly glu-1-plasminogen, and was due to inhibition of plasminogen activation by plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2 and of plasmin, in part by alpha 2-antiplasmin. Concentrations of PAI-1 in exudative pleural fluids were increased up to 913-fold, compared with normal pooled plasma. Exudative pleural effusions are characterized by increased procoagulant and depressed fibrinolytic activity, favoring fibrin deposition in the pleural space. The balance of these activities is reversed and favors fibrin clearance in congestive heart failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Blood Coagulation; Blood Coagulation Factors; Empyema; Fibrin; Fibrinolysis; Heart Failure; Humans; Pleura; Pleural Effusion; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pneumonia

A simple, effective and safe method is proposed to liquidate a persistent residual pleural cavity by a biological filling prepared ex tempore from a solution of fibrinogen with antibacterial drugs. The method was used in 24 patients after pleura empyema. The method of filling is described as well as the conditions for a successful use of the new means of liquidation of the residual pleural cavity and prevention of recurrent pleura empyemas.

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Bronchial Fistula; Combined Modality Therapy; Empyema; Fibrin; Fistula; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Pleural Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Prostheses and Implants; Skin Diseases

Topics: Adult; Aged; Autoimmune Diseases; Biopsy, Needle; Bronchiectasis; Chronic Disease; Empyema; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Phagocytosis; Pleural Diseases; Pneumonia

Topics: Blood Coagulation; Empyema; Fibrin; Hemothorax; Humans; Mesothelioma; Pleura; Pleural Diseases; Pleural Neoplasms