Summary
Factor XIII (FSF or fibrinoligase), an enzyme required for normal blood coagulation,
can be measured by its catalysis of the incorporation of a fluorescent amine, monodansylcadaverine
(N-(5-aminopentyl)-5-dimethylamino-l-naphthalene-sulfon-amide) into casein. The amine
incorporation test was applied to fourteen patients who had major operations. Levels
of factor XIII were measured before surgery and at intervals of two, four, and six
days after operation. Plasma factor XIII showed a significant, linear decrease for
each day after surgery. Patients having orthopedic surgery showed less pronounced
changes than the remaining patients. Factor XIII also decreased after operation in
patients with neoplastic disease, but the change was not different from that after
general surgical procedures done in the absence of neoplasia. Platelet factor XIII
levels were increased on the second day after operation, diminished on day four, and
increased above pre-operative levels on the sixth day after surgery. Possible explanations
of the observations are presented.
