Abstract
Hemostasis disorder in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is frequently associated with bleeding diathesis but it may also manifest in thrombotic complications. Analysis of individual coagulation and fibrinolytic factors may shed light on the background of this paradox situation. Here we explored components essential for fibrin formation/stabilization in ESRD patients being on maintenance hemodiafiltration (HDF) or hemodialysis (HD). Pre-dialysis fibrinogen, factor XIII (FXIII) antigen concentrations and FXIII activity were elevated, while α(2)-plasmin inhibitor (α(2)PI) activity decreased. The inflammatory status, as characterized by C-reactive protein (CRP) was a key determinant of fibrinogen concentration, but not of FXIII and α(2)PI levels. During a 4-h course of HDF or HD, fibrinogen concentration and FXIII levels gradually elevated. When compensated for the change in plasma water, i.e., normalized for plasma albumin concentration, only FXIII elevation remained significant. There was no difference between HDF and HD treatments. Individual HDF treatment did not influence α(2)PI activity, however after normalization it decreased significantly. HD treatment had a different effect, α(2)PI activities became elevated but the elevation disappeared after normalization. Elevated fibrinogen and FXIII levels in ESRD patients might contribute to the increased thrombosis risk, while decreased α(2)PI activity might be associated with elevated fibrinolytic potential.