An Artificial Circulation for the Study of Thrombolysis

Abstract

The construction of an artificial circulation for the study of thrombolysis allowing variation in fluid pressure and flow rate is described. The lysis of ¹²⁵I-fibrin was not influenced by variation in pressure between 10 and 30 cm H₂O, but was significantly faster at a flow rate of 25 ml/min than at 40 ml/min or 10 ml/min. At equivalent concentrations as assessed on fibrin plates tissue activator induced greater thrombolysis than urokinase. Thrombolysis by both activators was diminished in the presence of plasma.