Fibrinolytic activity in coronary heart disease.

To evaluate the effects of the fibrinolytic system on the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), the level of released plasminogen activator was measured by venous occlusion in 60 CHD cases, and 20 healthy subjects. The level of plasma basic plasminogen activator activity, plasminogen, fibrinogen and serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were determined also. In comparison with control subjects, a lower level of released plasminogen activator was found in all CHD patients, being especially marked in those with unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. The levels of plasma plasminogen, fibrinogen and FDP were also significantly changed in these patients. In acute myocardial infarction patients, the level of released plasminogen activator was lower in cases complicated with heart failure than in those without.