PROCOAGULANT ACTIVITY OF ASCITIC FLUID IN HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS - INVIVO AND INVITRO

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 86  (5) , 714-721
Abstract
Three cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation following infusion of ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity to the vascular system are reported in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. One of these was treated with intermittent drainage and infusion, and in the other two a LeVeen shunt was used. Studies on the ascitic fluid indicate the presence of a procoagulant material which may be an activator of factor X. Preactivated factor X (Xa) from the fluid and/or a tissue factor activator of factor VII are additional possibilities.