Inhibition of Conversion of Fibrinogen to Fibrin by Abnormal Proteins in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

Twelve of 45 patients with multiple myeloma had abnormal conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin as evidenced by a prolonged thrombin time. In its most striking form the abnormality consists of a markedly delayed conversion of fibrinogen to a homogeneous, gelatinous clot without histologic evidence of fibrin threads. The abnormal proteins accounting for this phenomenon were present in the beta- and gamma-globulin fractions of two patients studied in detail. Clinically, only the severest form of this abnormality caused hemorrhagic symptoms.