Effects of drugs and parenteral solutions on vascular fibrinolytic activity

The effects of saline, D5W, D10W, dextran, penicillin, cephalothin, and the Renografin "dyes" on vascular fibrinolytic activity were evaluated in in vitro experiments and in caninne preparations. Saline, D5W, D10W, and dextran did not affect fibrinolytic activity. High concentrations of the Renografin "dyes" and penicillin decreased fibrinolytic activity in vitro. Cephalothin, with an increased association of postinfusion in vitro studies but demonstrated minimal effect during the in vivo studies during which sufficiently high local concentrations of drug may not have been obtained. It is concluded that, although intimal damage, stasis, and/or hypercoagulability are responsible for the development of post infusion thromboses, local hypofibrinolytic activity is induced by some infusions and might contribute to the persistence and propagation of the thromboses.