Thromb Haemost 1986; 55(03): 357-360
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661563
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Behaviour of the Contact Phase of Blood Coagulation in the Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

F Velasco
*   The Department of Hematology, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
,
A Torres
*   The Department of Hematology, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
,
A Guerrero
**   The Department of Intensive Care Unit, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
,
P Andres
*   The Department of Hematology, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
,
R Guerrero
**   The Department of Intensive Care Unit, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
,
P Aljama
***   The Department of Nephrology, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
,
F Alvarez
**   The Department of Intensive Care Unit, “Reina Sofia” Hospital, Cordoba, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 02 January 1986

Accepted 01 April 1986

Publication Date:
18 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

In order to assess the role of the kallikrein-kinin (K-K) system in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) we have prospectively determined coagulation contact phase, blood gas and hemodynamic parameters in patients with ARDS at 0, 36 and 72 h from diagnosis.

Compared to normal values, significantly lower mean levels of factor XII (71.4 ± 9.8%, p <0.0005), prekallikrein (PPK) (52 ± 5.7%, p <0.0005), high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) (73 ± 2%, p <0.0005) and α2-macroglobulin (α2-M) (51 ± 7.1%, p <0.0005) were found in ARDS patients.

The functional kallikrein inhibitory activity (KKI) and Cr esterase inhibitor antigenic (CIINH) were significantly higher in these patients (113.2 ± 5, p <0.005 and 124.7 ± 7.6, p <0.0005 respectively) compared with normal values during the entire study period.

The KKI/CIINH ratio decreased significantly in our ARDS patients at 0, 36 and 72 h (p <0.025; p <0.05 and p <0.005 respectively).

We found a significant correlation between PPK levels and oxigenation index (r = 0.69, p <0.001), PPK and the static thoracic compliance values (r = 0.64, p <0.001). There was also a significant correlation between PPK levels and Qs/Qt (r = -0.89, p <0.001). ARDS patients that survived presented a stability in the PPK values in successive tests. Nevertheless non-survivors showed a progressive decrease in PPK levels during the follow-up period.

Our results suggest that the plasma kallikrein system becomes activated during ARDS and that this activation might increase the lung vessels’ permeability. In addition, PPK levels are in our opinion a useful prognostic parameter in predicting the outcome of ARDS patients.