Increased vascular plasminogen activity in patients with pheochromocytoma

Fibrinolytic and coagulation components were assayed in six patients with pheochromocytoma. Blood samples and a specimen from a superficial hand vein were obtained before, and six months after removal of the tumour. Vascular plasminogen activator (PA) activity in the vein wall was significantly increased in all patients who all had increased concentrations of urinary adrenaline, or noradrenaline, or of both. After adrenalectomy catecholamines were normalized and the PA activity was within normal range in all patients. There were no significant differences in factor VIII, antithrombin III, fibrinolytic activity, plasminogen or inhibitors of the plasminogen activation in plasma.