The use of 125I-labelled fibrinogen for determination of fibrin trapping in the lungs in patients developing the microembolism syndrome

The microembolism syndrome occurred in four patients out of a series of 15 patients with multiple injuries who were considered to run a risk of developing this syndrome. These four patients showed signs of fibrin trapping in the lungs, as demonstrated by the use of 125I-labelled fibrinogen and external detection over the lungs. It is, therefore, considered that this method can be used for diagnosing the microembolism syndrome. The fibrin trapping occurred at the onset of the progressive respiratory insufficiency. The time relation between the uptake of fibrin and the onset of the progressive respiratory insufficiency supports the theory af a causal connection between fibrin and pulmonary damage. Measurements of different coagulation and fibrinolysis factors in the blood were not able to discriminate between patients who developed the microembolism syndrome and those who did not. (author)