Coagulation-fibrinolysis and pleural effusion

Abstract

Coagulation activity increases, and fibrinolysis activity decreases in exudative pleural effusion. The blood coagulation factors increase in the former, and plasminogen activator inhibitors increase in the latter. This coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance may cause fibrin deposition, resulting in pleural fibrosis. Inflammatory cytokines can induce coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance, which also affect the inflammatory process. There is no inflammatory response and coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance in transudative pleural effusion, which rarely causes pleural fibrosis. Key words: Pleural effusion; Coagulation; Fibrinolysis; Inflammation