Coagulation and Fibrinolysis After Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Coagulation factors and components of the fibrinolytic system were studied in patients before, and for the first 3 weeks after, renal transplantation. The activity of the inhibitors of plasminogen activation by urokinase in patients as followed up for up to 2 years after transplantation. Before transplantation the bleeding time was slightly prolonged, and the platelet adhesiveness was decreased, sometimes severely. The fibrinogen concentration was slightly raised. Like other major operations, transplantation was promptly followed by a fall of the fibrinogen, P & P, factor VIII and plasminogen, presumably a reaction to surgical intervention per se. But unlike other operations, transplantation was not followed by later increase of the fibrinogen level. The bleeding time and platelet adhesiveness became normal, which can be ascribed to the disappearance of the uraemia. The inhibitors of plasminogen activation by urokinase increased merkedly and their activity was still high in patients examined up to 2 years after transplantation.