What are the factors contributing to the changes in tissue-type plasminogen activator during haemodialysis?

Haemodialysis (HD) is associated with stimulation of the fibrinolytic system. The increase of fibrinolytic activity seems to be primarily due to tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) released from the vessel wall. The aim of our study was to determine whether the t-PA release is the consequence of uraemic intoxication adjustment, extracorporeal circulation effect, heparin administration, or whether a mere reflection of the circadian rhythm of fibrinolysis is involved. To identify the factor, fibrinolytic system parameters were determined during HD, sham HD (SD), after the administration of heparin alone outside HD, and during a control period (CP). The plasma concentrations of t-PA antigen indicate that HD is associated with the release of t-PA from the vessel wall; 3.70 ng/ml before HD, 4.35 (NS) at the 15th min, 4.88 (P less than 0.05) at the 20th min, and 5.09 (P less than 0.05) after HD (medians). The respective values for a CP are 4.05, 4.37 (NS), 4.40 (NS), and 4.22 (NS). The effect of heparin alone and SD was evaluated for 120 min only, with the following t-PA concentrations determined after heparin: 5.10, 6.22 (NS), 4.72 (NS), 4.72 (NS); during SD and 4.50, 5.14 (NS), 5.20 (P less than 0.05). We conclude that t-PA is released from the vessel wall during HD. A factor contributing to its release is the extracorporeal circulation system.