The coagulation and fibrinolytic properties of peritoneal and venous blood in patients with ruptured ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

The coagulation and fibrinolytic properties of peritoneal and venous blood were studied in ten African patients with ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The peritoneal blood showed marked depletion of coagulation factors and the level of fibrinfibrinogen degradation products (FDP) was grossly elevated. A slight but significant elevation of FDP was the only abnormality detectable in the venous blood. In the light of these findings the value and hazards of autotransfusion are discussed.