Fibrinolytic activity in haemophiliacs

The fibrinolytic activity was studied in 7 haemophiliacs, in comparison with 5 normals and 7 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, by determining the level of the fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) in samples obtained as sera, clotting occurring naturally, and samples obtained as plasma and converted into serum by addition of thrombin-EACA. It was found that in haemophiliacs serum samples had normal FDP levels while plasma converted to serum showed high levels. This was explained by the fibrinolytic action of thrombin. Fibrinolysis was not prevented by EACA present due to the fact that it is an inhibitor of the plasminogen system but not of thrombin.