Fibrin breakdown products and fibrinolysis in renal disease.

In chronic renal failure and after acute renal failure, fibrinogen levels are raised and there is diminished fibrinolysis as the result of renal damage. A similar situation is found in nephrosis, possibly due to fibrinolytic inhibitors. Increased levels of cryofibrinogen were found in one quarter of cases of acute nephritis, nephrosis, and acute and chronic renal failure. In addition, after acute renal failure low platelet counts, prolonged thrombin times, and high levels of fibrin degradation products, yet with diminished fibrinolysis, indicate that intravascular coagulation has occurred. A positive result for fibrin degradation products was found in 17 of 20 cases of acute renal failure but in none of 10 cases of chronic uraemia. Intravascular coagulation is a process in which fibrin is deposited in the glomerular filters and may account for anuria, and, in the renal vasculature, where it may cause ischaemic tubular necrosis.