Fibrinolytic capacity of arm and leg veins after femoral shaft fracture and acute myocardial infarction.

The local fibrinolytic activity generated in the leg and arm veins during venous occlusion (fibrinolytic capacity) and the systemic fibrinolytic activity were measured at intervals in 11 patients after fracture of the femoral shaft and in 11 patients after acute myocardial infarction. In both groups the fibrinolytic capacity of the leg veins and the systemic fibrinolytic activity were significantly reduced two days after the onset of tissue injury. The fibrinolytic capacity of the arm veins was not altered. These results provide a possible explanation for the predilection of venous thrombosis for the leg veins after accidental trauma and acute myocardial infarction.