Changes in the blood coagulation,fibrinolysis, and cytokine profile during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: It has long been known that a hypercoagulability state develops after surgery. A surge in circulating cytokine levels is also commonly found in the postoperative period. These cytokines have all been shown to be capable of inducing a hypercoagulability state. Recently laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been introduced, and its advantages over the open procedure seem related to the reduced surgical trauma. LC is associated with a diminished acute-phase response compared with the open procedure. Our present knowledge on the influence of laparoscopic upon coagulation and fibrinolysis is incomplete and based on a few studies. Methods: The aim of this prospective, nonrandomized study was to investigate hemostatic system alterations in patients who undergo open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In addition we also measured the plasma cytokine profile to explore any relationship between changes in plasma cytokine levels and postoperative coagulation profile. Between September 1999 and April 2002, 71 patients were nonrandomly assigned to open (group 1) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (group 2). All patients from group 1 were operated by a surgical team different from ours, who prefers the OC procedure. The patients with acute cholecystitis were excluded. Prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), thrombin-antithrombin (TAT), fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, antithrombin III (AT), protein C, plasminogen, and D-dimer levels were measured at baseline and at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. Serial serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were measured by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Plasma levels of F1.2, TAT, fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, and D-dimer increased significantly in group 1. Plasma levels of AT, protein C, and plasminogen decreased in both groups. In the OC group, the serum IL-3 and IL-6 levels began to significantly increased as early as 1 h from the beginning of the operation, revealing a peak at the sixth hour. When IL-6 and IL-1 levels were markedly elevated also, F1.2, fibrinogen, and soluble fibrin levels were increased. Conclusions: Only mild hypercoagulability was observed in patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The cytokine surge was correlated with hypercoagulability. There was in fact a positive correlation between IL-6 level and hypercoagulability. The correlation between cytokine levels and coagulation activation may be related to the type of surgery performed. Further studies are required to investigate these issues. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 10–15 March 2003     

Randomized study of coagulation and fibrinolysis during and after gasless and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum may be an important pathophysiological factor stimulating the coagulation system during conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that gasless laparoscopy produces smaller changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic system than carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Fifty patients were allocated randomly to conventional (n = 26) or gasless (n = 24) laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Blood samples were obtained on admission, after induction of anaesthesia, after insufflation or traction, 30 min after introduction of the laparoscope, 10 min after exsufflation of carbon dioxide or traction, 4 h after extubation and 24 h after operation. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, body mass index and duration of operation. Plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 and 2 (F1 + 2), soluble fibrin and D-dimer did not differ between the two groups. F1 + 2 levels varied significantly in both groups during and after operation (P < 0.001). Soluble fibrin and D-dimer levels did not change during operation in either group, but after operation the levels increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum does not enhance the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The coagulation and fibrinolytic systems are activated during and after gasless as well as conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Systemic coagulation and fibrinolysis after laparoscopic and open gastric bypass

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic gastric bypass (GBP) induces a postoperative hypercoagulable state that is similar or reduced compared with open GBP. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Between May 1999 and June 2000, 70 patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopic (n = 36) or open (n = 34) GBP. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis consisted of antiembolism stockings and sequential pneumatic compression devices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasminogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), fibrinogen, D-dimer, antithrombin III (AT), and protein C levels were measured at baseline and at 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. A venous duplex examination of both lower extremities was performed preoperatively and between the third and fifth day postoperatively. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar in age, weight, and body mass index. Plasminogen levels decreased, and TAT, F1.2, and fibrinogen levels increased after laparoscopic and open GBP. There was no significant difference in these levels between groups. D-dimer levels increased in both groups, but the levels were significantly higher after open GBP than after laparoscopic GBP (P<.01). Antithrombin III and protein C levels decreased in both groups. The reduction of AT (at 1 hour) and protein C (at 72 hours) was significantly less after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP (P<.05). Postoperative venous duplex examination revealed DVT in 1 (2.9%) of 34 patients after open GBP but in none of 36 patients after laparoscopic GBP. One patient developed pulmonary embolism after open GBP. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic GBP induces a hypercoagulable state similar to that of open GBP. Our findings suggest that DVT prophylaxis should be used during laparoscopic GBP as in open GBP.     

腹腔镜和开腹胆囊切除术对患者血清细胞因子IL-6、IL-10和IL-18的影响

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)和开腹胆囊切除术(OC)对慢性结石性胆囊炎患者血清IL-6、IL-10和IL-18影响,比较两种方法对机体肝功能的损伤和机制。方法:选择LC患者和OC患者各30例,分别于术前、术后1d、5d抽取静脉血测定血清ALT、AST、IL-6、IL-10和IL-18含量,并进行对比研究。结果:LC组和OC组术后血清ALT、AST、IL-6和IL-18含量均较术前增加(P<0.01),血清IL-10含量较术前降低(P<0.01),上述指标术后1d变化最为明显,LC组上述血清指标变化小于同期OC组(P<0.05)。结论:LC对患者肝功能损伤较OC小,可能与LC刺激机体产生IL-6和IL-18较少,维持较高血清IL-10水平,维护适度机体细胞因子平衡有关。     

D-Dimer, Thrombin-Antithrombin III-Komplex (TAT) und Prothrombinfragment 1+2 (PTF) Parameter zur Überwachung der Therapie mit niedermolekularem Heparin bei Gerinnungsstörungen

Two groups of 15 patients each with disseminated intravascular coagulation in association with septic disease were treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (lmw-heparin) in different dosages (group I: 1,5–5?IE/kg body weight (BW) per hour; group II: 8–15?IE/kg BW). We studied the levels of D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1 and 2 (PTF), and global tests of coagulation like prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT) and platelet count, plasminogen activation (PA) and fibrinogen concentration to estimate the success of heparin therapy in the two groups. TT and fibrinogen concentration were not suitable to follow the course of the coagulation disorder. PT, PTT, platelet count progressively PA, D-dimer, TAT, and PTF normalised progressively after heparinisation. However, only the last three parameters were sensitive enough to show different effects of variable dosages of lmw-heparin. D-dimer, TAT, and PTF levels declined in proportion with heparin concentrations, and thus appear to be the most useful parameters for monitoring the therapeutic effect of heparin in septic coagulopathies.     

Inflammatory response in open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The modifications of IL-6. CRP, ceruloplasmin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, fibrinogen, transferrin, albumin and leukocytes counts have been evaluated after traditional open cholecystectomy (OC) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Forty-two patients were included in this study, 20 underwent to OC and 22 underwent to LC. Serum samples were performed before surgery and at distance of 6, 24, 48 and 168 hours. The results show a more significant increase in acute phase inflammatory response after OC compared with LC as attested by highest values of leukocytosis, IL-6, CRP, fibrinogen and alpha 1 antitrypsin and lower levels of albumin. In conclusion, after LC, the phase acute response is attenuate and it can explain the reduced period of convalescence of patients treated with LC.     

Activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in patients with CLI is not normalized after surgical revascularisation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis before, during and after surgical revascularisation in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with CLI underwent femoro-popliteal or femoro-distal reconstruction and were compared to a control-group. Measurements of prothrombin-fragment 1+2 (F1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) assessed activation of coagulation. Fibrinolysis was determined by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and fibrin degradation product (D-dimer). The inflammatory mediators: Interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2-rec), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was also analysed. RESULTS: Patients (in 35 of the 40 reconstruction was possible) were operated upon using either vein (n=23) or ePTFE (n=12) grafts. Patients with CLI had a preoperative prothrombotic state as indicated by high TAT-levels and also ongoing fibrinolysis with high levels of t-PA and D-dimer. After reperfusion an ongoing prothrombotic state for the first week was demonstrated. A significant as well as defective fibrinolysis was also seen with increased levels of tPA and D-dimer unopposed by PAI-1 after one week and also after 30 days. Increased levels of inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-10 and MCP-1 was observed after reperfusion and normalised after 30 days. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates significant disturbances of both the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems before, during and after revascularisation for CLI. This was accompanied by release of inflammatory mediators. A prothrombotic state and increased fibrinolysis were evident also 30 days after successful revascularisation.     

Activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis in open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis occurs as a stress response to surgery and may predispose the patient to thromboembolic complications. Other components of the surgical stress response (cytokine release, neurohumoral response, etc.) have been shown to differ between laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, and the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of laparoscopic and open surgery on the coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways. Methods: Fourteen patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 12 patients undergoing open cholecystectomy had blood taken in the perioperative period for fibrinopeptide A (FPA) prothrombin fragment F1.2, antithrombin 3, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and its fast-acting inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1 antigen and activity), and the euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT). Results: The only significant differences between the two groups occurred 6 h after surgery when the ECLT was longer (p < 0.005; Mann Whitney), and PAI-1 antigen and activity were higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively; Mann Whitney) after open cholecystectomy than laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Other changes in fibrinolysis and coagulation were similar for open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. With respect to hemostasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not increase the risk of thromboembolic complications compared to the conventional procedure.     

Hyaluronan levels during laparoscopic versus open colonic resections

Background Plasma hyaluronan binds to fibrinogen, affecting intravascular fibrin polymerization and fibrin clot formation. It has been hypothesized that alterations in fibrin clot formation influence the risk of thromboembolism in those undergoing surgery. The aim of this study is to quantify the intravascular components, especially plasma hyaluronan levels, in laparoscopic and conventional colorectal resections that contribute to thromboembolism formation. Methods Prospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients which were participating in the prospective randomized multi-center trial Lapkon II comparing the long-term effects of laparoscopic and conventional resection for colon cancer. Plasma samples were obtained from 15 patients at the beginning and the end of laparoscopic or conventional colorectal resections. Concentrations and activities of tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1(PAI-1), t-PA/PAI complex, fibrinogen, d-dimers and hyaluronan were determined by using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results No differences in age, sex and type of resection between the laparoscopic and conventional-surgery groups were observed. Laparoscopic procedures lasted longer (p < 0.05). Concentration and activities of t-PA, PAI-1, t-PA/PAI complex, fibrinogen and d-dimers did not vary between the two groups. Plasma hyaluronan decreased from 28.6 to 17.9 IU/ml (p < 0.05) during laparoscopic compared to conventional procedures. Plasma hyaluronan levels were significantly different at the end of operation between the two groups (p < 0.05) . Conclusions Plasma hyaluronan levels were decreased in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections, compared to those undergoing conventional procedures. Therefore, interactions between plasma hyaluronan and fibrinogen may be lower, with a sequential decrease in fibrin polymerization, and a possibly reduced risk of deep venous thrombosis.     

Fibrinolysis in multisystem trauma patients

Changes in the fibrinolytic system may lead to coagulation disorders in acute trauma patients. This study examined fibrin degradation by measuring D-dimer crosslinked fibrin degradation products (indicates hypercoagulability), plasminogen activators (fibrinolysis), and antithrombin III in 42 adult trauma patients and correlated these data with injury severity, types of injury, complications, and clinical tests of coagulation. Hypercoagulability and suppression of fibrinolysis were seen in most patients and were not correlated with severity of injury. These changes appeared most severe in patients with nervous system injury. Several patients with less severe injuries but evidence of hypercoagulability developed clinical evidence of pathologic thrombosis. Latex agglutination of D-dimer provides a rapid test of fibrinolysis that may be clinically useful in the management of trauma patients who cannot be easily studied for thrombosis.     

Clinical implication of plasma level of soluble fibrin monomer-fibrinogen complex in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively studied the clinical implication of plasma level of soluble fibrin monomer (FM)-fibrinogen complex, a recently established molecular marker reflecting thrombin activity, in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) undergoing elective aortic repair. METHODS: The study included 49 patients who underwent elective aneurysm repair using a gelatin-sealed or nonimpregnated Dacron prosthesis. Plasma level of soluble FM-fibrinogen complex was measured before surgery and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 postoperatively by latex agglutination assay utilizing monoclonal antibody IF-43. Plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), D-dimer, alpha2-plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complex (PIC), and fibrinogen were also evaluated. RESULTS: The preoperative level of soluble FM-fibrinogen complex showed variation in the degree of hemostatic activation, with fair correlations with TAT (r = 0.509, P < .001), D-dimer (r = 0.521, P < .001), and PIC (r = 0.579, P < .001). The patients with greater intraoperative blood loss (> or = 800 mL) showed a significantly elevated plasma level of soluble FM-fibrinogen complex preoperatively compared with those with less intraoperative blood loss (P = .009). Its postoperative fluctuation showed a similar pattern to that of TAT, reflecting the time course of coagulation activity. Gelatin impregnation of the Dacron vascular graft did not seem to influence the postoperative systemic coagulation mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that soluble FM-fibrinogen complex appears to be a useful diagnostic molecular marker to assess the activity of the coagulation system, and that its preoperative level may serve as a potential risk factor for intraoperative hemorrhagic diathesis in patients undergoing elective AAA repair.     

CHANGES IN FIBRINOGEN LEVELS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING OPEN AND LAPAROSCOPIC NISSEN FUNDOPLICATION

Background: Venous thromboembolic complications may be more common after laparoscopic surgical techniques, possibly due to changes in venous flow and blood coagulability. Methods: This study assessed fibrinogen, cross-linked fibrin degradation products (D-dimer), prothrombin international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and platelets, during and after both open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication to determine whether coagulability is increased by the laparoscopic approach. Results: Seven patients underwent open and thirteen underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Fibrinogen levels following open fundoplication fell from 2.8 ± 0.3 g/L pre-operatively to 2.0 ± 0.3 g/L following skin incision, and then increased to 4.1 ± 0.4 g/L on the first postoperative day. Similar changes in fibrinogen occurred following laparoscopic fundoplication (2.7 ± 0.2, 2.5 ± 0.2 and 3.8 ± 0.4 g/L, respectively). No significant changes in the other coagulation indices were observed. Conclusions: These results demonstrate hypercoagulability on the first postoperative day, irrespective of the operative technique. No differences between the results following laparoscopic and open fundoplication were demonstrated.     

Interleukin-6 and coagulation-fibrinolysis fluctuations after laparoscopic and conventional cholecystectomy

This study assesses quantitatively the fluctuations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and coagulationfibrinolysis proteins in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic (n=14) and conventional (n=10) cholecystectomy. The patients in both groups were comparable in age and sex. Serum levels of interleukin-6, and plasma levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor-antigen, tissue-type plasminogen activator-antigen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were determined for up to 48 h postoperatively. The postoperative changes of all parameters tested were comparable in both patient groups with a trend toward a higher interleukin-6 response at 8 h postincision (NS) and a trend toward a higher fibrinolysis inhibition (NS) after conventional cholecystectomy.     

Systemic inflammation and immune response after laparotomy vs laparoscopy in patients with acute cholecystitis,complicated by peritonitis

AIM: To evaluate acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis, acute phase response and immunological status in patients treated by laparoscopic or open approach. METHODS: From January 2002 to May 2012, we conducted a prospective randomized study on 45 consecutive patients (27 women, 18 men; mean age 58 years). These subjects were taken from a total of 681 patients who were hospitalised presenting similar preoperative findings: acute upper abdominal pain with tenderness, involuntary guarding under the right hypochondrium and/or in the flank; fever higher than 38 ℃, leukocytosis greater than 10 × 10 9 /L or both, and ultrasonographic evidence of calculous cholecystitis possibly complicated by peritonitis. These patients had undergone cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis,complicated by bile peritonitis. Randomly, 23 patients were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and 22 patients to open cholecystectomy (OC). Blood samples were collected from all patients before operation and at days 1, 3 and 6 after surgery. Serum bacteraemia, endotoxaemia, white blood cells (WBCs), WBC subpopulations, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), neutrophil elastase, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min, at 4, 6, 12, 24 h, and then daily (8 A.M.) until post-operative day 6.RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in the severity of peritoneal contamination as indicated by the viable bacterial count (open group = 90% of positive cultures vs laparoscopic group = 87%) and endotoxin level (open group = 33.21 ± 6.32 pg/mL vs laparoscopic group = 35.02 ± 7.23 pg/mL). Four subjects in the OC group (18.1%) and 1 subject (4.3%) in the LC group (P < 0.05) developed intra-abdominal abscess. Severe leukocytosis (range 15.8-19.6/mL) was observed only after OC but not after LC, mostly due to an increase in neutrophils (days 1 and 3, P < 0.05). This value returned to the normal range within 3-4 d after LC and 5-7 d after OC. Other WBC types and lymphocyte subpopulations showed no significant variation. On the first day after surgery, a statistically significant difference was observed in HLA-DR expression between LC (13.0 ± 5.2) and OC (6.0 ± 4.2) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant change in plasma elastase concentration was recorded post-operatively at days 1, 3, and 6 in patients from the OC group when compared to the LC group (P < 0.05). In the OC group, the serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 began to increase considerably from the first to the sixth hour after surgery. In the LC group, the increase of serum IL-1 and IL-6 levels was delayed and the peak values were notably lower than those in the OC group. Significant differences between the groups, for these two cytokines, were observed from the second to the twenty-fourth hour (P < 0.05) after surgery. The mean values of serum CRP in the LC group on post-operative days (1 and 3) were also lower than those in the OC group (P < 0.05). Systemic concentration of endotoxin was higher in the OC group at all intra-operative sampling times, but reached significance only when the gallbladder was removed (OC group = 36.81 ± 6.4 ρg/mLvs LC group = 16.74 ± 4.1 ρg/mL, P < 0.05). One hour after surgery, microbiological analysis of blood cultures detected 7 different bacterial species after laparotomy, and 4 species after laparoscopy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OC increased the incidence of bacteraemia, endotoxaemia and systemic inflammation compared with LC and caused lower transient immunological defense, leading to enhanced sepsis in the patients examined.     

Occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in obstructive jaundice and its relation to biliary tract infection

Coagulation studies were done on 78 consecutive cases of obstructive jaundice with or without biliary tract infection. Among 26 cases with biliary tract infection 20 cases showed no bleeding tendency but remarkable hypercoagulability with decreased fibrinolytic activity. Other six cases developed diffuse bleeding tendency in addition to the signs of hypotension and multiorgan dysfunction such as oliguria, respiratory distress and mental confusion. Most showed marked coagulation defects characterized by thrombocytopenia, decreased fibrinogen, antithrombin III and plasminogen levels and narrowing of maximal amplitude in thrombelastogram as well as the increase of fibrin degradation products and positive soluble fibrin monomer complexes. All except one died and three cases were autopsied. In two cases postmortem examination revealed multiple fibrin thrombi in lungs and other organs. A cause of the development of bleeding tendency in obstructive jaundice presently observed may likely to be due to the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), i.e. hypercoagulability caused by the biliary tract infection is responsible.     

Local intravascular coagulation and fibrin deposition on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion in rats

BACKGROUND: This study investigates intravascular coagulation and thrombotic obstruction in the splanchnic vasculature after intestinal ischemia in relation to epithelial integrity and function. METHODS: Intestinal ischemia was induced in rats by superior mesenteric artery occlusion for 20 or 40 minutes. Intestinal injury was assessed by histologic analysis, biochemical markers, and functional studies. During reperfusion, portal and systemic blood samples were collected to analyze activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. RESULTS: Superior mesenteric artery occlusion resulted in mild to moderate intestinal injury. Twenty and 40 minutes of ischemia and 3 hours of reperfusion resulted in local intestinal thrombin generation and conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, reflected by 3- and 4-fold increases in thrombin-antithrombin complex levels and a 3-fold elevation of fibrin degradation products (D-dimer), respectively. During reperfusion, after a short-lasting initial activation of local fibrinolysis, plasminogen activator activity was suppressed, as indicated by an approximately 4-fold increase in portal plasma levels of the plasminogen activator inhibitor. D-dimer levels showed that activation of coagulation and depression of fibrinolysis resulted in fibrin formation, which was confirmed to be intravascular fibrin deposition by histologic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion results in local intravascular coagulation and fibrin deposition.     

Fibrinolytic system after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the most important causes of morbility and mortality in patients submitted to surgical intervention: some peculiar factors of laparoscopic surgery can modify their risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate possible variations of the fibrinolytic system after cholecystectomy. METHODS: Eighteen patients affected by symptomatic and non-complicated gallstones have been included in this study. They were divided into two groups of nine patients each: the first group was submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and the second to open cholecystectomy (OC). Antitrombin III (ATIII), fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) have been evaluated preoperatively and 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after the operation. RESULTS: The levels of ATIII did not present significantly variations. The FDP in both groups were significantly increased 48 hours after open cholecystectomy. Levels of PAI instead were increased in comparison to the basal values at 6, 12, 24, 48 hours with p < 0.05; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively in patients submitted to OC, in the LC group no variations were observed; a comparison between the groups showed a significant modification (p < 0.05) only at the 12th hour. CONCLUSIONS: The early mobilization of patients in the postoperative course and the lower invasion of LC can oppose the prothrombotic effect in the lower limbs.     

Occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in obstructive jaundice and its relation to biliary tract infection.

Coagulation studies were done on 78 consecutive cases of obstructive jaundice with or without biliary tract infection. Among 26 cases with biliary tract infection 20 cases showed no bleeding tendency but remarkable hypercoagulability with decreased fibrinolytic activity. Other six cases developed diffuse bleeding tendency in addition to the signs of hypotension and multiorgan dysfunction such as oliguria, respiratory distress and mental confusion. Most showed marked coagulation defects characterized by thrombocytopenia, decreased fibrinogen, antithrombin III and plasminogen levels and narrowing of maximal amplitude in thrombelastogram as well as the increase of fibrin degradation products and positive soluble fibrin monomer complexes. All except one died and three cases were autopsied. In two cases postmortem examination revealed multiple fibrin thrombi in lungs and other organs. A cause of the development of bleeding tendency in obstructive jaundice presently observed may likely to be due to the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), i.e. hypercoagulability caused by the biliary tract infection is responsible.     

腹腔镜气腹对糖尿病病人凝血分子标志物变化的影响

目的观察腹腔镜胆囊切除术中病人的凝血、纤溶系统的变化。方法将51例行腹腔镜胆囊切除术的病人分为非糖尿病组(29例)和糖尿病组(22例)。分别于气腹前及气腹后测定血浆组织因子活性(TF∶A)、血浆凝血酶抗凝血酶Ⅲ复合物(TAT)、血浆组织型纤溶酶原激活物(tPA)、血浆纤溶酶原激活物抑制物(PAI1)。结果非糖尿病组在气腹后TAT和tPA较气腹前增高有显著统计学意义(P<0.05);糖尿病组在气腹后TAT和PAIl较气腹前增高有统计学意义,TAT(P<0.01),PAIl(P<0.05)。结论糖尿病病人在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中存在高凝状态,提示糖尿病病人行腹腔镜胆囊切除术应采取抗凝措施,以预防术后静脉血栓。     

DOS SANTOS PAPER: Fibrinogen and fibrinolysis in blood and in the arterial wall: its role in advanced atherosclerotic disease

High plasma fibrinogen appears to be an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to measure fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (D-dimer), interleukin-6 tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator in the plasma and arterial walls of 45 patients who had arterial surgery between April 1993 and November 1995. The arterial specimens were also examined by immunohistochemists for these same factors. The serum fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products were high in all patients, and fibrinolysis was depressed. Few leukocytes were seen in the arterial walls, which had poor fibrinolytic activity. Plasminogen-activator inhibitor activity in the wall was also reduced in the affected arterial walls. The abdominal aorta appeared to have the highest levels of fibrinogen and this may be related to its ability to form aneurysms. Fibrinogen may play an important role in the progression of atherosclerotic disease.