Studies of Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Patients with Idiopathic Hyperlipemia and Primary Hypercholesteremia before and after a Fatty Meal

Abstract

In view of the current interest in the possible relationship between elevated serum lipid levels, increased coagulability of the blood (or decreased blood fibrinolysis) and ischemic heart disease, the clotting and fibrinolytic activity of the blood were studied before and after a fatty meal in 9 patients with idiopathic hyperlipemia, 10 patients with primary hypercholesteremia, and 10 normal subjects. Six patients had evidence of coronary heart disease. The methods of study included procedures designed to assess the over-all coagulability of the blood as well as the measurement of specific clotting factors. Blood fibrinolytic activity was measured by both direct and indirect methods. Serum lipid studies were performed simultaneously.