The Effects of Infusing Thrombin and Its Acetylated Derivative

Summary and Conclusions

Dogs and rabbits were infused with acetylated thrombin (thrombin E) and clotting thrombin (thrombin C). Similar effects were noted in both animal series. Very large amounts of thrombin E could be tolerated, but resulted in defibrination. Following a transient hypercoagulable state, the blood became unclottable. The platelets and factors I, V, and VIII were markedly decreased. Factor II was moderately affected and factor VII-X showed no significant changes in most experiments. The presence of fibrinogen degradation products was indicated by a delay in the polymerization of fibrin monomers.

Based on the shortening of the euglobulin lysis time, a decrease in the proactivator, and the appearance of inhibitors of fibrin monomer polymerization, it is concluded that transient fibrinolysis is induced by the infusion of thrombin. Its immediate mechanism could not be determined.

^* Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, Colorado 80220.

^** The New York Blood Center, New York, New York 10021.

^*** Centro Medico, Caracas, Venezuela.

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