Intra-Operative Antithrombin III, Plasminogen And α₂ Antiplasmin Behaviour

Previously we reported that major surgery induces a marked but transient decline (30%) of antithrombin III (AT III) and plasminogen (PLG) in the first post-operative days .α₂AntiPlasm: in (α₂AP) alone decreases on the day of operation. In tne study presented we focused on the intra-operative behaviour of AT III, PLG and α₂AP in order to establish whether the decrease is gradual or that even lower values are reached during surgery, in different groups of patients. AT III was studied as a marker of activation of the coagulation system and PLG and α₂AP as indicators of fiorinolytic activity. Blood samples were taken pre-operatively, every thirty minutes intra-operatively, and within one hour after surgery.

The observations were related to hematocrit, blood loss, transfusion and duration of surgery. It is concluded that major surgery is associated with a profound decline of AT III, PLG and α²AP, which may play an important role in the development of intra operative thrombosis.