Fibrinolytic study in plasma and ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients before and after ascites concentration; reinfusion technique.

Management of cirrhosis with massive ascites involves particular difficulties. The introduction of a peritoneovenous shunt and reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid techniques allows increased diuresis and improves renal function. However, these procedures have frequently been associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and/or activation of fibrinolysis.

The evaluation of factor VIII antigen by means of a simple slide test.

Factor VIII von Willebrand may be detected by a Ristocetin-dependent platelet agglutination reaction. The authors have measured plasma levels of Factor VIII-related Ristocetin cofactor (VIIIR:RCoF) using formalin-fixed platelets tested by an aggregometric method or by a new, commercially available glass slide test. Plasmas were obtained from patients with von Willebrand's disease and Cushing's syndrome, and from normal controls.

The effect of low-dose estroprogestinic preparations on prothrombin complex factors: no significant increase after an 8-month trial.

The behavior of the prothrombin complex factors in 16 healthy women during low-dose estroprogestinic treatment (laevonorgestrel 0.15 mg and ethynilestradiol 0.30 mg) at basal conditions and during 8 months of therapy has been investigated.

Effect of atenolol and metoprolol on the anticoagulant activity of acenocoumarin.

In patients receiving long-term acenocoumarin treatment, the effect on anticoagulant activity of atenolol (100 mg once-daily) and metoprolol (100 mg twice daily) was compared in a randomised within-patient open trial. No significant differences were demonstrated between mean prothrombin time and Thrombotest during treatment with atenolol, metoprolol or placebo. These data do not suggest the existence of an interaction between acenocoumarin and the moderately lipophilic beta-adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol, or the hydrophilic beta-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol.