Fibrinogen Preservation in Serum After Heparin

Abstract

Summary

1. Very little or no fibrinogen remains after coagulation of normal blood in glass test tubes. 2. Small amounts of fibrinogen are detectable in siliconized tubes as late as 20 minutes after gross coagulation. 3. Considerable quantities of fibrinogen can be demonstrated in citrated serum from individuals having received 50 or 75 mg of heparin intravenously during a 3 hour observation period after gross coagulation has occurred. 4. Similarly, fibrinogen is detectable in citrated serum in considerable quantities after gross coagulation of normal blood when added to small amounts of heparin in vitro 5. The preservation of fibrinogen in serum after heparin seems to be attributable to a direct inhibition of its polymerization reaction to fibrin.