Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Young Female Arteritis

Extensive and repeated analysis of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in five women with young female arteritis revealed a normal content of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in the circulating blood, a normal platelet count and platelet adhesiveness in all five, a poor fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion and/or reduced plasminogen activator content in superficial vessel walls of four patients studied. In spite of the limited number of patients the findings suggest a defect of the fibrinolytic system, which may contribute to the eventual development of arterial thrombosis.