Coagulation Changes during the Steady State in Homozygous Sickle‐Cell Disease in Jamaica

Abstract

Summary. Coagulation studies were carried out in 117 Jamaicans with homo‐zygous sickle‐cell disease in the steady state, and 40 local controls. The patients had significantly higher factor‐VIII levels, higher platelet counts, lower factor‐V and plasminogen levels, shorter thrombin times and higher serum fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) than the control group. The low factor‐V and plasminogen levels, and high FDP levels, might be explained by activation of the coagulation system and continuous clot lysis even in the absence of painful crisis. The high factor‐VIII levels and short thrombin times found in these patients could not be explained.