Delayed elimination of fibrin from the lungs in rats given alpha 2-antiplasmin.

Injection of human alpha 2-antiplasmin resulted in delayed elimination of fibrin from the lungs in rats with thrombin-induced intravascular coagulation. The amount of alpha 2-antiplasmin injected was chosen so as to simulate the posttraumatic increase of this inhibitor in man. By injecting trace amounts only of radiolabelled alpha 2- antiplasmin a specific uptake of this protein in the lungs was noted after the thrombin-induced coagulation. The results may indicate that the posttraumatic increase in alpha 2-antiplasmin is of significance for the delayed elimination of fibrin seen in patients following trauma.