Increased Prothrombin Consumption Following Total Body X-Irradiation in Man

Abstract

Summary

1. Hematological studies were carried out on 41 patients with disseminated neoplastic disease receiving therapeutic whole body x-irradiation. 2. Increased prothrombin consumption, evidenced by an increase in the average serum prothrombin time, and in the incidence of prolonged serum prothrombin times, was found after irradiation. 3. Greater sensitivity resulted when pure fibrinogen was used in place of prothrombin-free plasma in the one-stage serum prothrombin time test. 4. Possible explanations for these findings were discussed.