Early activation of humoral proteolytic systems in patients with multiple trauma.

Coagulation, fibrinolytic, kallikrein, and complement systems were studied in 20 patients with multiple trauma. Three of four patients with a trauma score less than 10 on hospital arrival died, compared to one of 16 with a score over 10. Five patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Signs of activated cascade systems were evident in most patients on hospital arrival. Changes were not related to trauma score, but patients with an arterial pressure below 110 mm Hg had significantly lower levels of antithrombin III and alpha 2-antiplasmin than those with higher BP. This study confirms that the cascade systems are activated very soon after multiple trauma.