Summary
Plasma from 14 patients with severe and diffuse coronary atherosclerosis has been
compared with that obtained from a normal control group. While a decreased he parin-thrombin
clotting time was demonstrated in the patient group, suggesting an increased level
of circulating platelet factor 4, there was no significant alteration in plasma antithrombin
III level. These results do not support a recent suggestion of a mild chronic intravascular
coagulation in atherosclerosis.