Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in a Random Sample of 788 Men 54 Years Old

Abstract

SummaryBlood coagulation and fibrinolysis have been studied in a randomly selected population of 788 men 54 years of age. The mean values, standard deviations and distributions of recalcified plasma clotting time, PTT in silicone tubes and glass tubes, factor II-VII-X activity, factor VIII, fibrinogen, fibrinolytic activity in an euglobulin precipitation and plasminogen are presented. Linear regression analyses between the variables have been carried out. It was found that there is a significant correlation between fibrinogen and PTT in silicone tubes. An increased fibrinogen concentration thus tends to give prolonged clotting times. Factor VIII is negatively correlated to recalcified plasma clotting time and PTT in glass and silicone tubes. Increased factor VIII levels thus tend to shorten the clotting times. There is also a slight negative correlation between factor II-VII-X activity and PTT in glass tubes. In evaluating the significance of prolonged or shortened clotting times the inverse influence of fibrinogen and factor VIII on clotting time has to be considered. This is especially important in situations with increased frequency of thrombosis where both fibrinogen and factor VIII often are increased.