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Updated: May 9, 2026

Determination of the Procoagulant Activity of Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Using EV-Activated Clotting Time (EV-ACT)
Published on: August 4, 2023
Hypercoagulability in response to elevated body temperature and central hypovolemia.
Martin A S Meyer1, Sisse R Ostrowski, Anders Overgaard
1Section for Transfusion Medicine, Capital Regional Blood Bank, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Translational Injury Research, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
Elevated body temperature and reduced central blood volume (CBV) in healthy volunteers induced hypercoagulability, evidenced by shortened clotting times and increased D-dimer. This suggests a link between heat stress, hypovolemia, and clotting activation in critical illness.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Hemostasis
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Coagulation abnormalities are linked to adverse outcomes in critically ill patients.
- Trauma patients in hot environments experience systemic inflammation, fever, and reduced central blood volume (CBV), alongside hemostatic changes and endothelial damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent effects of experimentally elevated body temperature and reduced CBV on hemostasis and endothelial activation.
Main Methods:
- Eleven healthy volunteers underwent heat stress to increase core temperature.
- Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was used for progressive CBV reduction.
- Hemostasis was assessed using whole blood assays, hematologic tests, and plasma biomarkers of coagulation and endothelial activation.
Main Results:
- Elevated body temperature and decreased CBV significantly activated coagulation, indicated by shortened activated partial thromboplastin time and altered thrombelastography parameters (P < 0.05).
- Increased fibrinolysis was observed, with a significant rise in D-dimer levels (P = 0.016).
- Plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline markedly increased (P < 0.006).
Conclusions:
- Experimental elevation of body temperature and reduction of CBV induce a state of hypercoagulability in healthy individuals.
- No significant endothelial activation or damage was detected under these experimental conditions.
- These findings suggest that elevated body temperature and reduced CBV may contribute to hypercoagulability in critically ill patients, potentially mediated by sympathetic activation.
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