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Fibrinolytic activity at high altitude and sodium acetate buffer
Thrombosis Et Diathesis Haemorrhagica
|September 30, 1974
Summary
High altitude exposure enhances fibrinolytic activity, a protective mechanism against high altitude pulmonary edema. Sodium acetate buffer accelerates clot lysis time in testing, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- High altitude exposure can alter physiological processes, including blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.
- High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is associated with diminished fibrinolytic activity.
- Understanding fibrinolysis at high altitude is crucial for preventing and diagnosing HAPE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in fibrinolytic activity at high altitude.
- To explore the relationship between fibrinolysis and high altitude pulmonary edema.
- To evaluate a new method for measuring clot lysis time.
Main Methods:
- Assessing fibrinolytic activity in individuals exposed to high altitude.
- Measuring dilute clot lysis time using a low-temperature technique.
- Comparing sodium acetate buffer with phosphate buffer as a diluent.
Main Results:
- Fibrinolytic activity is generally enhanced at high altitude, potentially as a protective response.
- This enhanced activity may counteract the diminished fibrinolysis observed in HAPE.
- Sodium acetate buffer accelerated clot lysis time by approximately 33% compared to phosphate buffer, with a more defined endpoint.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced fibrinolysis at high altitude appears to be a physiological adaptation to hypoxic stress and a hypercoagulable state.
- Sodium acetate buffer is a more effective diluent than phosphate buffer for the dilute clot lysis time test, improving diagnostic efficiency for conditions like HAPE.