Plasma levels of soluble fibrin in patients with malignancy-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is one of the most critical complications of malignant diseases. It is conventionally diagnosed by a decrease in platelets and an increase in fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP). Recently, an immunological assay was developed that can directly quantify the amount of soluble fibrin (SF) formed in the blood. This study examined this assay system in the diagnosis of DIC and found that it is a good indicator of both fibrin formation and of DIC. Plasma levels of SF correlated well with the DIC score, which is determined according to the 'DIC Scoring Guideline' proposed by the DIC Study Group under the Japanese Ministry of Public Welfare in 1988. It also correlated well with the serum levels of FDP. Normal values of plasma SF ranged between 0 and 9.50 micrograms/ml. Interestingly, values of SF in females tended to increase with age, for reasons that are not yet determined.