The fibrinolytic activity of the vein following venous stasis.

This animal study investigated the fibrinolytic activity in the vein wall of the pig following venous stasis, which was induced artificially using an intermittently inflated pneumatic cuff. The method used to measure the fibrinolytic activity was modified from Todd's original technique. The area of lysis and the area of the vein wall were measured and expressed as a ratio, called the fibrinolytic index. After 3 h of intermittent venous stasis the fibrinolytic index was reduced by 68 per cent, significantly lower than the control group. The reduction of the fibrinolytic index by venous stasis could play an important part in the development of deep vein thrombosis.