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A comparison has been made between Defibrase and heparin during prolonged extracorporeal circulation with a membrane oxygenator in dogs. There was less capillary bleeding and less accumulation of platelets in lungs and on oxygenator membranes in defibrinogenated dogs. It was concluded that defibrinogenation is a superior anticoagulation alternative to heparinization under these experimental conditions.

Blood or plasma with a known fibrinogen content was given to 2 groups of dogs defibrinogenated with an excess amount of DefibraseR. One group received a smaller volume corresponding to 0.05 g fibrinogen/kg bw and the other a larger volume corresponding to 0.08 g/kg bw during 1 hour. Circulation, lung and kidney functions were studied: coagulation and fibrinolysis variables were followed. The group receiving the smaller amount of fibrinogen did not show any adverse reactions. The other group showed decreasing arterial pO2, increased pulmonary artery pressure and decreased oxygen consumption. It is concluded that it is possible to give without adverse effects limited amounts of fibrinogen to dogs treated with an excess amount of DefibraseR.

Mongrel dogs were rapidly defibrinogenated with Defibrase R . During defibrinogenation, changes in the blood coagulation and fibrinolytic systems were followed and the circulatory, pulmonary and renal functions were studied. Besides the expected decrease in the fibrinogen concentration and an increase in fibrin(ogen) degradation products, there was a decreased cardiac output and right ventricular systolic pressure. The dogs were then given plasma intraarterially during one hour in a volume corresponding to 0.08 g fibrinogen/kg b.w. and the same recordings were repeated. The fibrinogen degradation products increased and there were measurable fibrin monomers in the plasma. While the pulmonary and renal functions remained unaffected, the cardiac output, right ventricular pressure, renal artery flow and central venous pressure were increased. It is concluded that plasma can be infused intra-arterially without disturbances in the renal and pulmonary function.