Summary
Coagulation factor XIII and plasma fibrinogen chromatographic assays have been performed
serially in patients suffering from acute myocardial and cerebral infarction, and
in others with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The findings were compared
with 2 groups of “controls”; normal clinically-well subjects and hospitalized patients
with cerebral infarction who exhibited minimal, stable, or improving neurological
deficits. Substantial depression of factor XIII concentrations developed in the 3
patient groups, together with concomitant significant increases in the proportion
and concentration of plasma high molecular weight fibrin(ogen) complexes (HMWFC).
An inverse correlation (p<0.05) between coagulation factor XIII concentration and
percentage of HMWFC was demonstrated in the early stages of the illness. These findings
suggest that depression of coagulation factor XIII concentration in these states,
is secondary to extra vascular or intravascular coagulation and may reflect its degree.