Plasma fibronectin concentration in patients admitted to intensive care unit

The plasma fibronectin level was determined by immunoelectrophoresis in patients under intensive care. The decrease in plasma fibronectin concentration was most pronounced in patients with sepsis and DIC. Survival of these patients was related to the extent of decrease of the plasma fibronectin concentration. Burn injury and the associated surgical treatment were followed by a decrease in fibronectin concentration which then normalized in 24-48 h after the burn injury. It is concluded that serial determinations of plasma fibronectin are essential for studying the relation of a low plasma fibronectin with the clinical condition.