Plasmin generation and fibrinolysis in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

This prospective, single-centre cohort study aimed to evaluate plasmin generation and fibrinolysis during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery in a cohort of children up to 6 years of age. Blood samples were drawn at eight time points: after induction of anesthesia, before unfractionated heparin (UFH), after UFH, after initiation of bypass, before protamine, after protamine, after chest closure, and 6 h after chest closure. The study identified an increase in fibrinolysis during CPB and particularly up to 6 h afterward in children.