Profibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic effects of platelets.

The pro- and antifibrinolytic effects of platelets have been reviewed periodically over the past 25 years. Review of the current publications indicates that the profibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic effects attributed to platelets are highly dependent upon the test system used. On balance, the antifibrinolytic effect appears to predominate; however, this conclusion awaits further experimentation, particularly through clinical studies clarifying the effects of platelets in therapeutic fibrinolysis.