Studies on hypercoagulation state in thromboangiitis obliterans.

Thirteen hypercoagulation parameters related to coagulation, anticoagulation, platelet functions, dynamics of clot formation and hemorrheology were determined in 15-109 patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). The results showed that VIIIR = Ag, PAdT, PagT, HPF, and whole blood and plasma viscosity were elevated, fibrinogen elevated in the active stage, AT-III declined, RBC electrophoresis time prolonged, and changes suggesting hypercoagulation in thromboelastogram. All these indicated the existence of a hypercoagulation state in TAO patients, which could contribute to the process of thrombosis. The relationship between immune reactions and blood hypercoagulability could be crucial in the pathogenesis of TAO. Immune reactions causing injury of vascular endothelium play a primary and fundamental role, and blood hypercoagulability could play a secondary but important role in the course of the disease.