The fibrinolytic enzyme system in hypertension.

Fibrinogen, fibrinogen-related antigen (FR-antigen), and components of the fibrinolytic enzyme system were measured in patients with essential hypertension, renal disease with and without hypertension, and normal subjects. Essential hypertension was associated with a decrease in plasminogen activator and an increase in FR-antigen. In renal disease these changes were accompanied by increases in plasminogen activation inhibitor, alpha(2)-macroglobulin, alpha(1)-antitrypsin, and fibrinogen.