title: Hyperfibrinolysis in liver disease.
abstract: The incidence of hyperfibrinolysis in patients with cirrhosis is still debated. The reasons for this uncertainty probably lie in the lack of appropriate laboratory tests for its evaluation. There is a relative consensus, however, that hyperfibrinolysis can complicate the clinical course of liver cirrhosis, especially in cases of moderate to severe liver failure. Hyperfibrinolysis correlates positively with the severity of underlying liver disease, and low-grade systemic fibrinolysis is found in 30% to 46% of patients who have end-stage liver disease. Accelerated intravascular coagulation with secondary hyperfibrinolysis has been reported in patients who have liver failure. Hyperfibrinolysis may delay primary hemostasis, thereby aggravating variceal bleeding and facilitating recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome, "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy; Institute of Clinical Medicine I, University of Rome, "La Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, 00181 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: mimmo.ferro@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine I, University of Rome, "La Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, 00181 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Celestini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine I, University of Rome, "La Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, 00181 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Violi
mesh_terms: D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator