Fibrinogenmessung

Fibrinogenmessung refers to the quantitative assessment of plasma fibrinogen, a glycoprotein produced by the liver that plays a central role in coagulation by converting to fibrin during the clotting cascade. Accurate measurement is vital for diagnosing and managing bleeding disorders, thrombosis, liver disease, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Typical reference ranges for adults are 1.8 to 3.5 g/L, although exact cut‑offs depend on laboratory methods and population studied.

The most common laboratory techniques include the Clauss method, which measures clotting time after adding an excess of thrombin, and the dilute thrombin clotting test (DCT). Both are functional assays that provide fibrinogen concentration proportional to the rate of fibrin formation. Alternative approaches are ELISA‑based immunoassays and turbidity measurements, which can be more specific but are less widely used in routine coagulation panels. Pre‑analytical variables such as fasting status, platelet activation, and sample handling can influence results; thus, venous blood is usually drawn into citrate tubes, gently inverted, and processed within a short time frame.

Clinical interpretation of fibrinogen levels incorporates both absolute values and trends. Low fibrinogen (hypofibrinogenemia) may indicate consumption (e.g., DIC), severe liver dysfunction, or inherited afibrinogenemia. Elevated fibrinogen (hyperfibrinogenemia) is an acute‑phase reactant and can be seen in infection, inflammation, or malignancy; it also increases thrombotic risk. In pregnancy, normal fibrinogen rises progressively, and abnormal values can signal preeclampsia or thrombophilia. Serial monitoring assists in therapeutic decisions, such as administering fibrinogen concentrates or cryoprecipitate, and in evaluating treatment efficacy in disorders like hemophilia with acquired inhibitors.