Regional fibrinolytic study in coronary artery disease.

In a group of coronary patients studies of fibrinolysis were carried out during cardiac bilateral catheterization. The following tests were evaluated: Euglobulin lysis time, fibrinogen, plasminogen, AT III, alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Fibrinolytic activity was reduced in various cardiac chambers. Plasminogen levels were elevated probably because of reduced utilization or consumption. Alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin levels were greatly reduced both in the arterial and in the venous system. From these results the fibrinolytic system may be concluded to be defective in coronary patients.