Haemostatic Clot Formation at Anastomosis of Synthetic Venous Graft in Defibrinogenated Dogs: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Summary

A segment of the inferior vena cava was replaced by an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft in 13 dogs. Five of them served as a control group, while the other 8 were moderately or severely defibrinogenated with subcutaneous batroxobin. Plasma fibrinogen decreased to extremely low values throughout the experiment in the defibrinogenated dogs except in the moderately treated group in which it temporarily rose to 0.72-0.87 g/1 on the first postoperative day.

Scanning electron microscopic observations of the haemostatic clot formed at the anastomoses of the graft revealed no significant morphological differences in platelet adhesion and/or aggregation between the three groups. These findings confirmed that platelets play a key role in primary haemostasis during defibrinogenation.

The fibrin network was slightly diminished and only short fibrin filaments could be seen in the moderately and severely defibrinogenated groups respectively. These differences in composition of the clots are discussed in relation to their haemostatic capacity.

Keywords

Batroxobin - Defibrinogenation - Fibrin strands - Haemostasis - Platelet plug - Scanning electron microscopy

• References

• 1 Stocker K, Barlow GH. Characterization of Defibrase. In Martin MR, Schoop W. (eds). Defibrinierung mit thrombinӓhnlichen Schlangengiftenzymen. Verlag Hans Huber, Berlin — Stuttgart — Wien. 1975: 45-62
• 2 Egberg N. Coagulation studies in patients treated with Defibrase. Acta Med Scand 1973; 194: 01-12
• 3 McDonagh J, McDonagh RP. Alternative pathways for the activation of factor XIII. Brit J Haematol 1975; 30: 465-479
• 4 Niewiarowski S, Regoeczi E, Stewart G, Senyi AF, Mustard JF. Platelet interaction with polymerizing fibrin. J Clin Invest 1972; 51: 685-700
• 5 Olsson P, Lingquist A, Gӧransson L. Vein graft surgery in Defibrase-defibrinogenated dogs. Thromb Res 1973; 03: 161-172
• 6 Browse N C, Clemenson G. Vein surgery during defibrinogenation. Br J Surg 1978; 65: 452-455
• 7 Olsson P, Blombӓck M, Egberg N, Ekestrӧm S, Gӧransson L, Johnsson H. Studies on the bleeding tendency and on the possibility of surgery in state of Reptílase induced defibrinogenation. Thromb Diath Haemorrh Suppl 1971; 47: 389-396
• 8 Blümel J, Kӧhnlein HE, Hӓrtwig J, Seidel B. Transplantations-Chirurgie an der Ratte unter EinfluB von Defibrase. In Martin M, Schoop W. (eds). Defibrinierung mit thrombinӓhnlichen Schlangengiftenzymen. Verlag Hans Huber, Bern - Stuttgart - Wien. 1975: 157-163
• 9 Berglin E, Svalander C-H, Teger-Nilsson A-C, William-Olsson G. Anticoagulation with Defibrase during extracorporeal circulation in the dogs. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1976; 10: 225-230
• 10 Slade C L, Taylor Jr LM, Wechsler AS, Mackee PA. Postsurgical haemorrhage in dogs anticoagulated with ancrod (Arvin). Ann Surg 1973; 178: 721-726
• 11 Bergstrӧm K, Blombӓck B, Kleen G. Studies on the plasma fibrinolytic activity in a case of liver cirrhosis. Acta Med Scand 1960; 168: 291-305
• 12 Vermylen C, De VerkerR A, Verstraete M. A rapid enzymatic method for assay of fibrinogen-fibrin polymerization time (FTP-test). Clin Chim Acta 1963; 08: 418-424
• 13 Hawiger J, Niewiarowski S, Gurewitch V, Thomas DP. Measurement of fibrin degradation products by staphylococcal clumping test. J Lab Clin Med 1970; 75: 93-108
• 14 Anderson T R. Technique for preservation of the fine sturcture in preparing specimens of electron microscopy. Trans N Y Acad Sri 1975; 13: 130-134
• 15 Fujiwara Y, Cohn LH, Adams D, Colins Jr JJ. Use of Gore-Tex grafts for replacement of the superior and inferior vena cavae. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1974; 67: 774-779
• 16 Norton L, Eiseman B. Replacement of portal vein during pancreatectomy for carcinoma. Surgery 1975; 77: 280-284
• 17 Ygge J. Changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis during the postoperative period. Am J Surg 1970; 119: 225-232
• 18 Mustard J F, Packham MA, Kinlough-Rathbone RL, Perry DW, Regoeczi E. Fibrinogen and ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Blood 1978; 52: 453-466
• 19 Egberg N, Johnsson H. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in Reptilase defibrinogenated dogs. Thromb Res 1972; 01: 95-112
• 20 Johnsson H. On platelet fibrinogen in plasma defibrinogenated dogs and in uremic patients before and after hemodialysis. Thromb Res 1975; 07: 161-174
• 21 Olsson P. Discussion. In Martin MR, Schoop W. (eds.). Defibrinierung mit thrombinӓhnlichen Schlangengiftenzymen. Verlag Hans Huber, Bern - Stuttgart - Wien. 1975: 179-180
• 22 Daniel TM, Pizzo SV, Mckee PA. Comparison of ancrod and heparin as anticoagulants following endarterectomy in the dog. Ann Surg 1976; 184: 223-228