CHANGES IN PLASMA-LEVELS OF PROTHROMBIN FRAGMENT-F1+2 IN CASES OF DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION

Plasma levels of prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 (PTF) and thrombin-antith rombin III complex (TAT) were assayed in 86 cases of disseminated intr avascular coagulation (DIC). A significant elevation of both parameter s was observed in most cases of DIC, which suggested that the in vivo generation of thrombin is highly accelerated by the cleavage of the pr othrombin molecule by factor Xa. On the contrary, no significant eleva tion of plasma levels of PTF was observed in cases of DIC with severe hepatic failure or fulminant hepatitis in spite of significant elevati on of TAT. Plasma levels of PTF were directly proportional to those of TAT in 86 cases of DIC as a whole (r = 0.682, p < 0.001). The measure ment of both parameters was considered to be useful to estimate the he mostatic activation in DIC.