Accelerated Thromboplastin Generation in Acute Arterial Occlusion Complicating Arteriosclerosis Obliterans

Abstract

By means of a "retarded" thromboplastin-generation test, acceleration of thromboplastin generation has been demonstrated in 70% of 64 patients with acute arterial occlusion complicating arteriosclerosis obliterans. This hypercoagulable state is produced by excess clotting activity which appears to be a previously unrecognized accelerator of thromboplastin generation. The excessive activity of this accelerator may be a temporary phenomenon or may persist for as long as 3 years. Coumarin anticoagulant drugs do not appear to exert any direct effect on the activity of this accelerator.