A functional photometric assay for plasma fibrinogen

We have developed a photometric assay for fibrinogen concentration. The sample is mixed with a snake venom enzyme (Batroxobin) and fibrin formation is recorded turbidimetrically at 334 nm. Reaction conditions are such that a linear increase in absorbance is obtained over a concentration range of fibrinogen from 80-700 mg/dl. Higher or lower ranges can be measured by adjusting the sample volume. Calibration is performed with a single standard. Precision and accuracy are comparable with the usual clinical chemical methods. Experiments with plasma samples digested with streptokinase showed that interference of fibrinolytic split products (FSP) is less than using the Clauss method. Large amounts of FSP in the sample, however, delay the increase in absorbance. This phenomenon can be utilized for the additional estimation of the FSP-content of the sample. Results obtained with the present method corresponded well with those obtained using the method of Clauss.