Decreased fibrinolytic activity in human atherosclerotic vessels

Using a semi-quantitative, histochemical fibrin slide technique, plasminogen activator (PA) activity was determined in 65 atherosclerotic arteries obtained from 65 patients during surgery -42 during resection of the infrarenal part of the aorta, and 23 from a leg artery in patients undergoing a below-knee amputation. In 12 of the patients undergoing resection of the aorta, another specimen was obtained from a collateral artery free from atherosclerotic lesions. PA activity in the atherosclerotic aortic specimens was significantly decreased compared with that in collateral arteries, and low PA activity was also found in leg arteries.