Rheological study of the dynamic process of fibrinolysis.

The dynamic process of fibrinolysis induced by tissue plasminogen activator was examined using a rheological technique. Change in a rheological parameter (logarithmic damping factor) of whole blood and platelet-free plasma during fibrinolysis was largely dependent on the initial concentration of tissue plasminogen activator. Addition of activated partial prothrombin time reagent allowed determination of the time both of onset and end of fibrinolysis without affecting the coagulation process. The changes in the clot structure of fibrin during fibrinolysis were observed with a scanning electron microscope and compared with the time-dependent behavior of the logarithmic damping factor. Differences in the logarithmic damping factor during fibrinolysis were evident in alteration of the network structure of clots. It will be shown that the present rheological technique is useful for examining the concentration dependence of fibrinolytic reagent on fibrinolysis as well as for monitoring the dynamic process of fibrinolysis.