Thrombin activity appearing on the vessel wall after trauma

Thrombin activity was assayed on the aortic surface of rabbits after soft tissue trauma or endothelial injury caused by a balloon catheter. The animals were sacrificed by exsanguination 20 minutes or 3 hours after either type of trauma. Thrombin amidolytic activity on the luminal surface of the aorta was measured by exposing it to a synthetic chromogenic substrate. Thrombin activity appeared on the aortic endothelium 3 hours but not 20 minutes after soft tissue trauma. Heparin prevented the appearance of thrombin activity completely only if given just before the trauma. After endothelial injury, thrombin activity appeared on the vascular surface after 3 hours but not after 20 minutes. Thrombin activity appearing on the endothelium after soft tissue trauma may explain posttraumatic thrombotic events. The thrombin activity could, however, also be directed towards activation of protein C in which case an anticoagulant effect is obtained. Thrombin appearing after endothelial injury may enhance reactivity on the damaged vessel wall.