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These studies establish that the staphylococcal clumping test is superior to the tanned red cell hemagglutination inhibition immunoassay for monitoring fibrin split product concentration in burn sera. It is strongly suggested that the principal circulating degradation product is a complex of soluble fibrin monomer with fragment D. Finally, there does not appear to be any effect on measured fibrin split product concentration in sera of burn patients receiving prophylactic heparin or aspirin.

A burned rat model was developed to examine post-burn alterations in coagulation. Fibrin split product concentration, as measured by the staphylococcal clumping test, was noted to rise significantly within the first 24 hours following injury. Prophylactic in vivo systemic anticoagulation with heparin was ineffective in modifying this response. However, systemic administration of protamine sulfate prevented post-burn elevation of fibrin split products. In vitro fibrin split product concentration in burn sera following the addition of heparin and protamine sulfate, was also analyzed. The results of these experiments elucidated the biochemical effects of protamine sulfate on circulating fibrin degradation products in the rat burn model.