MARKERS OF COAGULATION AND FIBRINOLYSIS IN PORTAL BLOOD FROM PATIENTSWITH AND WITHOUT GASTRIC MALIGNANCY

Background: The origin of coagulation and fibrinolysis abnormalities i n cancer patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to measure mar kers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in portal and peripheral blood fr om patients with and without gastric malignancy. Methods: Blood sample s were drawn from the portal vein and a peripheral vein in 39 patients undergoing elective gastric surgery, 18 for gastric malignancy and 21 for benign disorders, and analyzed for prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F- 1+2), thrombin-anti-thrombin III complex (TAT), fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (FgDP, FbDP), and fibrinopeptide A (FpA). Results and Conclusions: In portal blood, levels of F-1+2, TAT, FpA, FgDP, an d FbDP did not differ in the two groups. In peripheral blood, levels o f FpA and FbDP were higher in cancer patients, but in a multiple regre ssion model malignancy did not contribute significantly to variation i n peripheral FpA or FbDP levels. In both groups FpA levels were higher in portal blood than in peripheral blood.