fibrinogen

Introduction

a circulating glycoprotein synthesized in the liver which is converted by thrombin to fibrin to create a fibrin-based blood clot
- fibrin is broken down by plasmin to form D-Dimers
high serum levels may be a predisposing factor to deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

acute phase reactant
- levels rise as part of the acute phase reaction response to systemic inflammation, infections, tissue trauma, some neoplasms, etc
pregnancy
neoplasia / cancer / tumours - especially gastric, lung, prostate and ovarian
- may result in a particular pattern of migratory superficial vein thrombosis, termed trousseau's syndrome