Contact Activation Prolongs Clot Lysis Time in Human Plasma: Role of Thrombin-activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor and Factor XIII

Primarily TAFI, and to a lesser extent FXIII, contributed to contact system protein-mediated attenuation of fibrinolysis. Clinical investigation of these phenomena is warranted in clinical settings involving contact activation (e.g., intra-aortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices) to determine whether these devices modulate fibrinolysis and perhaps contribute to thromboembolic morbidity.