INTRODUCTION: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) as an extension of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is an independent predictor of mortality. The Clot Lysis: Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of IVH phase 3 (CLEAR III) trial is a randomized, double-blinded, placebocontrolled, multiregional trial recently conducted to determine whether external ventricular drainage (EVD) plus intraventricular recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA, alteplase) improved outcome, in comparison to EVD plus saline. This study is an application of the rationale and principles of management in CLEAR III trial and related literature. METHODS: There are five patients described in this case series. Report followed the PROCESS guidelines. RESULTS: 30-day mortality in this series is 2 out of 5 while actual allcause mortality is 4 out of 5. Modified Graeb scores and IVH scores of all subjects have decreased after the intervention. However, good functional status defined as modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0-3 has not been achieved with the intervention. Efficacy of completely resolving IVH and hydrocephalus has been achieved in 2 out of 5 which translated to a benefit of survival to one of the two. Shunt dependence has been avoided by the subjects except for the one with the caudate intracerebral hemorrhage. Complications related to the intervention have been noted and discussed CONCLUSION In this single-institution study, patients for which rtPA was used for intraventricular fibrinolysis of IVH clot in addition to EVD as surgical treatment for hydrocephalus resulted to a 30-day survival of 3 out of 5 in this series, while actual survival is 1 out of 5. The intervention was efficacious in decreasing the Modified Graeb scores and IVH scores of all study subjects at end of treatment. Functional status of mRS 5 is the highest score achieved among survivors.
Fibrinolysis

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Fibrinoeptide-A (FpA) and D-dimer have been well known as hematologic parameters for activation of the coagulation and the endogeneous fibrinolysis system during acute phase of ischemic stroke. We measured the levels of FpA and D-dimer in acute progressive and non-progressive ischemic strokes to assess whether these markers are valuable as a predictor of stroke progression during acute phase. METHODS: FpA (RIA method) and D dimer (ELISA method) were determined in 54 patients, 9 with acute progressive and 45 with non-progressive within acute stage(< 48 hours of onset) of cerebral infarction. RESULTS: Levels of FpA in patients with acute progressive stroke were significantly higher than those in patients with non-progressive stroke, indicating activation of the coagulation system (P = 0.013). And, levels of D-dimer in patients with acute progressive stroke were also higher than those in patients with non-progressive stroke but statistically insignificant(P-0.071). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the coagulation system is more enhanced in progressive stroke than non-progressive one during acute stage of ischemic stroke. Higher levels of FpA are thought to be useful markers to predict stroke in progression.
Cerebral Infarction ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: Thromboelastography (TEG) measures the viscoelastic properties of clotting blood, displaying a visual trace of all phases of coagulation and fibrinolysis. When performing a TEG, it is commonly recommended to store whole blood at 37oC with only a 3-6 min delay after sampling. However, it is difficult to actually keep this recommend time and temperature. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects on TEG by inadvertent technical errors due to inappropriate measurement time and temperature. METHODS: Twenty healthy male volunteers were studied. TEG measurements were performed at: stat, 4 min, and 8 min at room temperature, and 4 min and 8 min at 37 degrees C. Parameters used were: reaction time (R), clot formation time (K), maximal amplitude (MA), clot formation velocity (alpha-angle), clot lysis 60 min (LY60) and TEG index. RESULTS: When compared with the routine recommendation, 4 min lag time at 37 degrees C, R and K were shortened and alpha angle and LY60 were increased at 8 min after the sample. However, temperature differences did not significantly affect TEG parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate measurement temperature does not result in significant changes of TEG parameters, but, delayed storage resulted in a false hypercoagulation state and increased fibrinolysis.
Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Male ; Reaction Time ; Thrombelastography ; Volunteers

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) ranges from asymptomatic to often fatal, incidentally discovered emboli to massive embolism causing immediate death. Acute PE may occur rapidly and unpredictably and may be difficult to diagnose. Mortality and complications can be reduced by prompt diagnosis and therapy. Untreated PE is associated with a mortality rate of approximately 30 percents. Most patients with PE have endogenous fibrinolysis, although it is not effective enough to prevent PE. A case of spontaneous remission of untreated acute PE has not previously been reported. Here we present a case of spontaneously resolved acute PE without any treatment.
Embolism ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Remission, Spontaneous

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have produced conflicting results on the influence of hemodilution on the coagulation system. Furthermore, only a few clinical studies have been conducted regarding actual blood loss and associated hemodilution. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in thromboelastograph (TEG) findings after moderate bleeding-induced hemodilution in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy. METHODS: 23 patients scheduled for radical hysterectomy were included. No patient had a preoperative coagulation abnormality or was receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. TEG findings 15 min after induction of anesthesia and after an estimated blood loss equaling 15% of the estimated blood volume were compared. Only crystalloid solution was administered until the second blood sampling for TEG analysis in order to produce a hemodilution state. RESULTS: After hemodilution R time, K time and coagulation time (r + k) showed significant reductions, and alpha angle and TEG index showed significant increases (P < 0.01), and increased coagulability. MA increased after hemodilution, but this was not statistically significant. A60 and CL60 also increased, showing decreased fibrinolysis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate bleeding-induced hemodilution increased coagulability according to TEG compared to pre-hemodilution findings. We recommend that the decision to replace coagulation factors and/or platelets should not be based on empirically derived, arbitrary standards.
Anesthesia ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; Blood Volume ; Fibrinolysis ; Hemodilution* ; Humans ; Hysterectomy*

Atherothrombotic complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Diabetes has been considered to be a prothrombotic status. Several factors contribute to the prothrombotic condition, such as increasing coagulation, impaired fibrinolysis, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet hyperreactivity. Among the factors that contribute to the prothrombotic status in diabetes, altered platelet function plays a crucial role. Although understanding platelet function abnormalities in diabetes still remains as a challenge, more attention should be focused on platelet function for effective management and the prediction of atherothrombotic events in diabetic patients. This review will provide an overview on the current status of knowledge of platelet function abnormalities and clinical marker of platelet hyperreactivity in patients with diabetes.
Biomarkers* ; Blood Platelets* ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Mortality

Dry socket, also termed fibrinolytic osteitis or alveolar osteitis, is a complication of tooth exodontia. A dry socket lesion is a post-extraction socket that exhibits exposed bone that is not covered by a blood clot or healing epithelium and exists inside or around the perimeter of the socket or alveolus for days after the extraction procedure. This article describes dry socket lesions; reviews the basic clinical techniques of treating different manifestations of dry socket lesions; and shows how microscope level loupe magnification of 6× to 8× or greater, combined with co-axial illumination or a dental operating microscope, facilitate more precise treatment of dry socket lesions. The author examines the scientific validity of the proposed causes of dry socket lesions (such as bacteria, inflammation, fibrinolysis, or traumatic extractions) and the scientific validity of different terminologies used to describe dry socket lesions. This article also presents an alternative model of what causes dry socket lesions, based on evidence from dental literature. Although the clinical techniques for treating dry socket lesions seem empirically correct, more evidence is required to determine the causes of dry socket lesions.
Bacteria ; Diagnosis* ; Dry Socket* ; Epithelium ; Fibrinolysis ; Inflammation ; Lighting ; Osteitis ; Tooth

PURPOSE: Pathologically, Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with widespread vascular endothelial damage in the acute phase. The vasculitis induced endothelial injury leads to coagulation abnormalities. Abnormalities of endothelial function, platelet activation, and fibrinolysis are present during acute phase and long after the onset of KD. The aim of study is to evaluate the change of hemostatic markers in the clinical stages of KD and to assess the hemostatic markers to be a useful indicator of the development of coronary artery lesion (CAL). METHODS: Seventy four KD patients diagnosed in Chungnam National University Hospital from November 2004 to June 2007. Eleven febrile control and eleven healthy children were selected for healthy control. All blood samples were collected before and after Intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG), 2nd week, and 4th-8th week of illness of KD. RESULTS: Initial D-dimer level of Kawasaki disease showed meaningful difference compared to control group (P<0.05). D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) before IVGG increased compared with normal control group and decreased after IVGG administration. It is normalized until 2 weeks later, and continue to decreasing. D-dimer and FDP were significantly different according to the CAL before IVGG. CONCLUSION: The hemostatic markers may change to the clinical stage of KD, which may suggest the degree of endothelial injury. Increased some hemostatic markers may be the predictors for development of CAL.
Child ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Coronary Vessels ; Fibrinogen ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Platelet Activation ; Vasculitis

At the most severe end of the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes is ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI), which usually occurs when a fibrin-rich thrombus completely occludes an epicardial coronary artery. Timely reperfusion therapy is the best and the most important component of the treatment for STEMI. Several randomized trials and metaanalysis have shown that primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) is superior to thrombolysis in STEMI therapy. However, PPCI should be regarded as preferred strategy only within a reasonable time delay from onset to treatment, in contrast to thrombolysis. There is a continuing controversy about the acceptable time-window for PPCI in patients with STEMI. Recent American and European guidelines recommend PPCI if the delay in performing PPCI instead of administering fibrinolysis (PCI-related delay) is 60 minutes and the presentation delay is more than 3 hours. Based on a review of the literature, the evidence supports an acceptable PCI-related delay of 80-120 min and PPCI as a better reperfusion strategy also in the high-, medium- risk patients and early incomers. Furthermore, To maximize the number of patients with STEMI eligible for PPCI, the optimal logistic strategy could be the confirmation of the diagnosis in the prehospital phase, to bypass local hospitals, and to re-route patients directly to facilities that can administer catheterization. To obtain the maximal benefit for survival, the optimal antithrombotics and adjuvant drug therapy is necessary.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Coronary Vessels ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Reperfusion ; Thrombosis

BACKGOUND: Fibrinolysis, which commonly occurs following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), may be related to the excessive bleeding (EB) and morbidity after CPB. It is known that tissue factor (TF), which is triggered by CPB, plays an important role in the initiation of fibrinolysis during and after CPB, however, EB and fibrinolysis after CPB show inter-individual variance. Therefore, in this study, TF -603A/G polymorphism was evaluated to determine if it is associated with fibrinolysis and/or EB and morbidity following CPB. METHODS: RT-PCR was used to determine the TF genotype of each patient. In addition, the amount of blood loss that occurred during the first 24 hours following surgery was documented, and EB was diagnosed when more than 1 L of blood was lost during the first 24 hours following surgery. The D-dimer levels were measured at; a) Time 1; prior to initiation of CPB, b) Time 2; 2 hours after CPB, and c) Time 3; 24 hours after CPB. The oxygen index (OI) was calculated at; 1) OI1; upon admission to the ICU, b) OI2; 24 hrs after admission to the ICU, and c) OI3; 48 hrs after admission to the ICU. The intubation time and the length of the ICU stay were also documented. RESULTS: The serum D-Dimer level of the TF -603AA group (n = 72) measured at time 3 was higher than that of the TF -603GG/GA group (n = 25) measured at the same time. In addition, the incidence of EB and the intubation time of the TF -603AA group were higher than those of the TF -603GG/GA group. Finally, the OI3 of the TF -603AA group was lower than that of the TF -603GG/GA group. CONCLUSIONS: The G allele that is associated with TF -603A/G polymorphism may be protective against fibrinolysis following CPB, therefore, it may also be protective against EB and morbidity following CPB.
Alleles ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Fibrinolysis* ; Genotype ; Heart* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Oxygen ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thromboplastin*