Rheological and fibrinolytic findings in multiple sclerosis.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Blood viscosity indices, fibrinolytic activity and other serum proteins related to hemocoagulation were studied in 36 patients with multiple sclerosis. The whole blood viscosity was increased in multiple sclerosis. The increase was caused by a decrease in erythrocyte deformability since plasma viscosity and hematocrit were normal. Plasminogen, fibrinogen and .alpha.l antitrypsin levels were lower than normal. Such alterations were not observed in a group of patients with other nonimmunological neurological diseases. In the latter group some coagulation indices were even higher than normal. The higher mean age of the pathological controls could explain the observed levels. The abnormalities observed in multiple sclerosis patients apparently are a consequence of a nonspecific activation of the coagulative system in a chronic immunological disease.