Abstract
In this lecture the attention is focused on some data that may contribute to clarifying the relationship between Hemorheology, Fibrinolysis and Thrombosis. The natural link between these events is fibrinogen. Changes in fibrinogen concentration are therefore first discussed, as capable of contributing to hemorheologic changes in thrombotic and pre thrombotic states. Reduction of fibrinolytic activity has been described in many conditions associated with thrombosis, but it is doubtful whether persistent depression of the fibrinolytic “potential” should be considered a cause of increased fibrinogen levels. Association between high fibrinogen and depressed fibrinolysis is however a frequent event. The role of hyperfibrinogenaemia as a risk factor for arterial thrombosis is established, while depression of the fibrinolytic potential is better correlated with venous thrombosis. The effect of fibrinogen derivatives, both plasmin and thrombin-derived, is finally discussed and some personal preliminary data are presented.
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