The effects upon blood coagulation in dogs of experimentally induced pancreatitis and the infusion of pancreatic juice.

The coagulation changes observed in acute experimental pancreatitis were compared with those after the intravenous infusion of pancreatic juice and ascitic fluid exudate obtained from bile-induced pancreatitis in dogs. The coagulation changes after acute pancreatitis was induced by the intraductal injection of autologous bile, trypsin or elastase showed decreased platelet counts, decreased plasma fibrinogen levels, prolonged partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times, shortened euglobulin clot lysis time and increased fibrin degradation products. Multiple microemboli were observed in the lung and, occasionally, in the kidney, an indication of consumption coagulopathy. The effects upon blood coagulation after the intravenous injection of pancreatic juice included decreased platelet counts, decreased plasma fibrinogen levels and prolonged partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times. The intravenous injection of pancreatic exudate produced greater changes than did those of an equal amount of pancreatic juice. There was a shortening of euglobulin clot lysis time and a marked increase in fibrin degradation products. Pancreatic exudate which accumulates during acute pancreatitis may contain a toxic substance or substances which contribute to the consumption of coagulation factors during acute pancreatitis.