Chromogenic peptide substrate assays in patients with multiple trauma.

Daily monitoring of the plasma proteolytic enzyme systems i.e. the coagulation, the fibrinolytic and the kallikrein-kinin system in multitraumatized patients with chromogenic substrate assays disclosed significant differences in the levels of Prekallikrein, Hageman Factor, Antithrombin-III, Prothrombin in survivors (N = 9) and fatal cases (N = 6) during the first week after admission. Since chromogenic peptide substrate assays are simple, cheap and easily automated, close monitoring of critical care patients may be rewarding.