Fibrinolysis in Peptone and Anaphylactic Shock in the Dog

Abstract

FIBRINOLYSIS in peptone and anaphylactic shock can be demonstrated either directly, by estimation of flbrinogen in samples taken after the injection of the respective agent, or by adding protamine in order to counteract the effect of the heparin which is discharged into the blood stream. We have shown¹ that even the addition of an excess of a powerful preparation of human thrombin is unable to correct the decrease in fibrinogen, which can be estimated by the method of Cullen and Van Slyke². Since thrombin was able to correct the inhibitory effect of heparin added in amounts such as those appearing in anaphylactic shock, we conclude that a drop in fibrinogen actually occurs during anaphylactic and peptone shock. Moreover, in the case of peptone shock, fibrinolysis can be directly observed, since in several cases the blood clots very quickly and the coagulum redissolves after a few hours. Apparently, Nolf³ was the first to describe this flbrinolytic effect as occurring after peptone injection, in animals in which the liver had been removed or the circulation reduced to the upper part of the body, by ligaturing the thoracic aorta and inferior vena cava, just above the diaphragm. It is now clear that in Nolf's experiments, the removal of the liver prevented the discharge of heparin, since it has been proved that heparin comes from the liver in peptone and anaphylactic shock⁴.