On radiation-decreased fibrinolytic activity of vessel walls

Fibrinolytic activity was histochemically determined in biopsy specimens of the walls of human veins (vv. epigastricae superficiales) obtained from 15 patients after irradiation of the lower abdomen because of malignant genital diseases and compared with non-irradiated controls. The activity was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) after radiotherapy.