Plasma alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complex and FDP-D-Dimer in fulminant hepatic failure

Plasma levels of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complex (PI-Pm) and FDP-D-Dimer (FDP-D), one of cross-linked fibrin degradation products, were determined at 42 points in time in 8 patients with fulminant hepatic failure. PI-Pm was abnormally increased at all 25 points when intractable bleeding was present, whereas FDP-D was increased only at 5 of these points. Of 17 points unassociated with such bleeding, both PI-Pm and FDP-D were increased at 3 points; increased PI-Pm alone was found at 1 point measured next day after the bleeding ceased; and increased FDP-D alone were at 5 points when ascites, one of common complications of fulminant hepatic failure, developed. When PI-Pm was increased, plasma levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) changed together with FDP-D.