Changes in the blood fibrinolytic activity after surgery (the effect of deep vein thrombosis and malignant disease

The changes in blood fibrinolytic activity before and after operation have been investigated in 56 patients. The results have been analysed to assess the effect of the presence of malignant disease and the development of deep vein thombosis. The results show that patients with malignant disease and those with thrombosis have a fibrinolytic shut-down. This shut-down appears to be secondary to these two conditions and not the cause of the thrombosis. Patients without carcinoma and without thrombosis do not have a significant shut-down. The fibrinolytic shut-down results from a reduced release of activator from the peripheral store, not a reduction in the size of the store itself.