Hypercoagulability in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Twenty-seven patients with peripheral vascular disease had studies of thrombin generation, antithrombin III -alues, factor VIII values, platelet adhesitivity, and activated partial thromboplastin time. Of the studies performed, the thrombin generation index, antithrombin III values, and, to a lesser extent, activated partial thromboplastin time were reliable in confirming clinically suspected hypercoagulability. When patients were placed into groups with and without operative complications, it was noted that the group with operative complications had higher average values of thrombin generation index and lower average values of antithrombin III and activated partial thromboplastin time than did the group without operative complications. It is thought that these tests may be useful in selecting those patients with a high risk of thrombotic complications from vascular surgery and who may benefit from anticoagulant management while undergoing necessary vascular reconstructive procedures.