The Plasminogen Activator Content of the Arterial Wall in Occlusive Arterial Diseases

Summary

The plasminogen activator of the Arteria tibialis posterior of 8 patients with occlusive arterial diseases of the leg was determined in comparison to the plasminogen activator of normal subjects. The histochemical method of Todd (15) was used. The plasminogen activator of the pathological adventitia and the intima was significantly decreased. An impaired fibrinolytic system seems to be one of the important factors of atherogenesis. It could at least explain the frequent incidence of thrombotic complications.

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