Summary
Fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) are detected by radioimmunoassay in the serum
of all subjects. Some of these FDPs have considerable biological activity in vivo,
and hence may play a significant part in the process of coagulation. Chromatography
of serum samples from patients including those with pulmonary emboli and deep venous
thrombosis indicates that the majority of non-clottable fibrin(ogen)-related antigen
present is of high molecular weight- greater than that of fibrinogen – and that in
pathological situations there is a quantitative increase not a qualitative alteration
in the molecular species present.
