Procoagulant Properties of Ascitic Fluid in Hepatic Cirrhosis
Re-infusion of ascitic fluid into the vasculature of patients with liver cirrhosis corrects many of the protein, fluid, and electrolyte abnormalities. Such infusion can lead to D.I.C. Three such cases are reported here. One had intermittent drainage and re-infusion, the other two had Le Veen shunts installed. All three patients showed laboratory evidence of D.I.C. Ascitic fluid on one patient showed procoagulant material by the thromboplastin activation test. In the presence of ascites from another patient, plasmas deficient in Factors XI, IX, and VIII gave recalcification and non-activated partial thromboplastin times similar to those of normal plasma. RCT’s and PTT’s of normal heparinized plasma and of plasmas deficient in Factors X and VII-X were shortened to a lesser extent. Clotting times of Factor V deficient plasma were prolonged by ascites. These results indicate that an activator of Factor X is present in the ascitic fluid. Additional tests such as RVV and prothrombin times suggest that some activated Factor X and/or tissue activator (endotoxin and leukocytes) may have been formed in vivo.