Hypothermia and Blood Coagulation

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Abstract
The effect of low temperatures on the blood-clotting mechanism is studied. The early stages of coagulation up to and including the production of plasma thromboplastin are not affected by cooling to temperatures as low as 5[degree] C. In contrast, the action of plasma thromboplastin on prothrombin and the thrombin-fibrinogen interaction were very sensitive to thermal changes; being almost completely inhibited at 5[degree] C. The activation of plasminogen was hindered at low temperatures, but the already-formed plasmin retained its fibrinolytic action. The importance of these observations in relation to extracorporeal circulation is discussed.