Previously we reported that major surgery induces a marked but transient decline (30%) of antithrombin III (AT III) and plasminogen (PLG) in the first post-operative days .α2AntiPlasm: in (α2AP) alone decreases on the day of operation. In tne study presented we focused on the intra-operative behaviour of AT III, PLG and α2AP in order to establish whether the decrease is gradual or that even lower values are reached during surgery, in different groups of patients. AT III was studied as a marker of activation of the coagulation system and PLG and α2AP as indicators of fiorinolytic activity. Blood samples were taken pre-operatively, every thirty minutes intra-operatively, and within one hour after surgery.The observations were related to hematocrit, blood loss, transfusion and duration of surgery. It is concluded that major surgery is associated with a profound decline of AT III, PLG and α2AP, which may play an important role in the development of intra operative thrombosis.

Büller, H. R., Henny, C. P., Ritzen, M., Kahlé, L. H., & ten Cate, J. W. (1981). Intra-Operative Antithrombin III, Plasminogen And α2 Antiplasmin Behaviour. Oral Presentations.