fibrinopeptide-b and Chronic-Disease

1. The concentration in plasma of fibrinogen derivatives fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and B beta 1-42 and the platelet release products beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) have been determined in patients with acute and chronic liver disease. 2. In 21 patients with fulmiant hepatic failure on admission in grade III or IV coma the plasma FPA, B beta 1-42, beta TG and PF4 levels were significantly increased compared with those in normal control subjects. On heparinization before haemoperfusion the FPA levels returned to the normal range and during resin and charcoal haemoperfusion there were no significant changes in the coagulation or platelet factors, except for a small increase in FPA with charcoal haemoperfusion. 3. In ten patients with compensated chronic liver disease there was a significant increase in B beta 1-42 and beta TG levels but not FPA and PF4 as compared with normal controls. 4. Interpretation of the results is complicated by the possible reduced clearance of these proteins as a result of renal failure in some of the patients with fulminant hepatic failure and also by the damaged liver itself. However, these results have confirmed that disseminated intravascular coagulation can occur in both acute and chronic liver disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; beta-Thromboglobulin; Chronic Disease; Female; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinopeptide A; Fibrinopeptide B; Hemoperfusion; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments; Platelet Factor 4

The pathogenesis of chronic subdural hematoma is not fully understood. It is thought that fibrinolytic hyperactivity within the hematoma capsule plays an important role. However, since this hyperactivity has not been found in the systemic blood, accelerated fibrinolysis is thought to occur only locally. To evaluate coagulant and fibrinolytic activities in the peripheral blood, the authors measured fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and fibrinopeptide B beta 15-42 (FPB beta), which are relatively sensitive hematologic factors, in 14 patients with chronic subdural hematoma. Peripheral venous blood was collected within 24 hours before surgery and FPA and FPB beta levels were determined. In the eight cases followed for more than 1 month after surgery, pre- and postoperative FPA and FPB beta values were compared. The possible relationship between preoperative FPB beta and hematoma density as well as elevated intracranial pressure (judged by preoperative computed tomography) was also examined. The following results were obtained: 1) Preoperative FPA and FPB beta values were both statistically significantly elevated suggesting systemic acceleration of coagulant and fibrinolytic activities. FPB beta levels exceeded those of FPA in almost all cases, indicating that fibrinolysis was more dramatically enhanced. 2) Many patients with high FPB beta values had high-density areas on computed tomography scans. 3) Patients with choked disc had high FPB beta values, suggesting a correlation between chronic intracranial hypertension and FPB beta. 4) Postoperatively, there was a marked decrease in FPA values, whereas FPB beta values remained above normal, which may reflect persistence of accelerated systemic fibrinolytic activity in patients with chronic subdural hematoma.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Blood Coagulation; Chronic Disease; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinogen; Fibrinolysis; Fibrinopeptide A; Fibrinopeptide B; Hematoma, Subdural; Humans; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments

A study on the significance of the measurement of fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and fibrinopeptide B beta 15-42 (FPB beta) in urine and plasma before and after urokinase (UK) administration in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis is described. FPA and FPB beta in urine and plasma were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) in urine and sera were also determined before and after the UK administration. UK was administered at a dose of 48,000 IU/20 ml in saline intravenously, followed by an intravenous infusion of 250 ml of 5% glucose for one hour. It was demonstrated that the levels of FPB beta in urine and plasma showed a significant increase after UK administration in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of FDP in urine and sera before and after UK administration. It was concluded that the measurement of FPB beta in urine and plasma may be useful for evaluating the efficacy of UK therapy in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinogen; Fibrinopeptide A; Fibrinopeptide B; Glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis, IGA; Humans; Peptide Fragments; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Drug Evaluation; Female; Fibrinogen; Fibrinopeptide A; Fibrinopeptide B; Glomerulonephritis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator