Fibrinolysis in the Pleural Cavity After Pulmonary Resection

Summary In the postoperative intrathoracic exsudate after pulmonary surgery a fluctuating antithrombin activity was found. The antithrombin in the exsudate was found to be mostly of a slow acting type. It differed from antithrombin III in its resistance to ether. The activity of the antithrombin in the exsudate could be potentiated by traces of heparin. For various reasons the hypothesis is brought forward that this antithrombin is a product of fibrinolysis. The effect of this antithrombin on haemostasis could not be evaluated. The haemostasis at the operation site was found to be influenced by fibrinolysis.