The cause of coagulopathy after peritoneovenous shunt for malignant ascites

J. J. Gleysteen, C. V. Hussey and M. G. Heckman
Surgical Service, Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wis.

Thirty-five patients with malignant ascites who received a peritoneovenous shunt were studied to determine the type and duration of postoperative coagulopathy. Coagulation factors were measured before and on the first and third day after the placement of a Denver peritoneovenous shunt; 1 to 10 L of ascites was removed at operation. Levels of platelets, antithrombin III, plasminogen, antiplasmin, fibrinogen, and factors V and VIII decreased by the first postoperative day but did not change further through the third day. The levels of fibrinolytic split products increased on day 1 but were lower by day 3. The platelet count reduction by the third day correlated with the hematocrit change (-0.031). The prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times remained normal postoperatively. The patterns of change were similar for patients with positive (n = 18) and negative (n = 17) ascites cytologic findings, with elevated (n = 24) and normal (n = 11) preoperative fibrinolytic split product levels, and elevated bilirubin value (greater than 25 mumol/L; n = 9), and no jaundice (n = 26). Bleeding did not occur. The data indicated that plasminogen-rather than thromboplastin-activated fibrinolysis occurred and that platelet reduction was largely dilutional. The reactions were not progressive when ascites was removed operatively.