Perioperative prophylaxis with a low molecular weight heparin reduces late PAI-1 levels after gynaecological surgery

Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen and fibrin/ogen degradation products (FbDP, FgDP) were measured before and 8 days after gynaecological surgery in 50 patients randomly submitted to prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (Alfa LMW1-OP 2123, Alfa Wassermann, Bologna, Italy; LMWH group) or standard calcium heparin (CH group). All patients were screened for deep venous thrombosis by the 125I Fibrinogen uptake test. In the CH group, but not in LMWH group, postoperative PAI-1 levels were significantly higher (p