FIBRIN GENERATION AND DIGESTION IN PATIENTS WITH ANGINA-PECTORIS

Fibrin generation and lysis were studied in 28 patients with angina pe ctoris (14 with active disease and 14 with inactive disease) and in 14 normal controls. The fibrinolytic response was evaluated by comparing the ratio between the plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A and fibrin de gradation products. Levels of both were higher in patients than in con trols (P<0.001), with higher levels in active than in inactive disease (P<0.001). The fibrinopeptide A/fibrin degradation products ratio was much higher (P<0.001) in the active group than in other groups, Thus, in patients with angina pectoris, especially in the active state, the increased thrombin generation is not paralleled by an equivalent incr ease in fibrinolytic activity.