Enhanced fibrinolysis caused by tissue plasminogen activator release in hemodialysis

Abstract

Enhanced fibrinolysis caused by tissue plasminogen activator release in hemodialysis. The effect of hemodialysis on components of the fibrinolytic system was measured in 22 patients. Plasma levels of t-PA antigen, t-PA activity, u-PA antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor were determined by means of immunological and functional assays. During hemodialysis, 11 patients exhibited an increase in t-PA antigen within the first hour to about three times the starting values (P < 0.05), followed by a decrease to about double of the initial values until the end of the treatment. Eleven patients showed a continuous increase up to 200% of the starting values until the end of hemodialysis. u-PA levels did not change significantly during the time of investigation (P > 0.5)