Plasma soluble fibrin monomer complexes in the development of diabetic retinopathy.

To elucidate the relationship between plasma soluble fibrin monomer complexes (SFMC) and retinal or vitreous hemorrhages, 11 diabetics were studied for 15 months. The levels of SFMC in 3 out of the 11 cases were elevated prior to hemorrhages and in the other 8 cases SFMC levels were elevated after hemorrhages. With regard to fibrinogen (Fbg) concentrations, there was no significant difference between the values before and after hemorrhages. The plasma glucose levels did not change significantly during the observation. It was concluded that the SFMC level was not only an indicator of the intracapillary generation of thrombin but an important factor affecting the development of diabetic retinopathy.