Effects of Urokinase on pre and post-operative coagulating and fibrinolytic activity in vascular surgery

Urokinase (Uk) was injected postoperatively at several different doses (mean doses 22×10^4 IU/day) into 9 patients with arterial reconstruction in order to evaluate the pre and post-operative coagulating and fibrinolytic activity. The following parameters in blood coagulating and fibrinolytic activity were measured : α_2-plasmin inhibitor (α_2-PI), fibrinogen (Fbg), fibrinogen degenerative producrs (FDP), plasminogen (PLG) and antithrobin III. Levels in patients with Urokinase administrarion were compared to those in patients without Urokinase administration, who underwent general surgery. The levels of α_2-plasmin inhibitor in patients with Urokinase were statistically significantly lower at the 3rd and 7th postoperative day than those in patients without Urokinase. However, in the leels of Fbg and urine and blood FDP, there were no statistical differences between groups with Urokinase and without Urokinase, though Fbg and urine FDP levels were highest at the 1st and 3rd postoperative days. Urokinase administration was useful in preventing the early occlusion of the arterial reconstructive tract postoperatively.