[The technique of quantitative determination of streptokinase in the patient's plasma (author's transl)]

A method of a quantitative determination of plasma streptokinase concentrations in patients undergoing streptokinase infusion is described. The principle of this method is based on the clot lysis time recorded by the thromboelastograph. The test clot constituents were bovine fibrin, bovine plasminogen, human euglobulin, EDTA, human plasma (of unknown streptokinase quantity) and thrombin. As rather high concentrations (fixed excess) of plasminogen (euglobulin) and fibrinogen were present in the test coagulum, no interference with changing plasminogen and fibrinogen levels of the patient's plasma was observed. Furthermore, due to high EDTA concentrations, no interaction with platelet functions and coagulation factors took place. The standard deviation in measuring 2 u streptokinase in 1 ml human plasma was determined as s = +/- 0.19 u/ml, of 5 u streptokinase at s = +/- 0.47 u/ml and of 20 u streptokinase at s = +/- 2.5 u in 1 ml of human plasma. Plasma samples of patients undergoing fibrinolytic treatment were investigated with regard to their streptokinase content. Streptokinase concentration values varied between 0.7 u and 15 u/ml plasma. The average half life of streptokinase in the organism was 18 min. The decay of streptokinase in plasma at different temperatures and over various periods of time was also determined. A considerable loss of streptokinase in the plasma during storage at room temperature could be observed. Therefore, the determination procedures should be carried out without delay.