Figure 61-8 Fibrinopeptide A in patients receiving general or epidural anesthesia. Determinations were made before the induction of anesthesia (sample 1), 20 minutes after the start of the surgical procedure (sample 2), 45 seconds after deflation of the tourniquet at the end of surgery (sample 3), and 1 hour postoperatively (sample 4). Values are given as the mean ± SEM. Notice the increase in fibrinopeptide A after deflation of the tourniquet (sample 3), representing thrombosis in the leg while the tourniquet was inflated. (Adapted from Sharrock NE, Go G, Williams-Russo P, et al: Comparison of extradural and general anaesthesia on the fibrinolytic response to total knee arthroplasty. Br J Anaesth 79:29–34, 1997.)