2.8. Analyses of whole blood coagulation activity

The coagulation activity of whole blood was examined as previously described (Sonoclot Coagulation & Platelet Function Analyzer, Sienco, Morrison, CO). ^{9 , 10}  The Sonoclot signal typically describes coagulation parameters including clotting time (CT), which indicates the period up to the beginning of fibrin formation, and clot rate (CR), which indicates the slope of fibrin gel formation that is affected by both the rate of the fibrinogen to fibrin conversion and the amount of fibrinogen. We also measured the clot amplitude. Because Sonoclot measurements took at least 20 min for each sample, whole blood samples were analyzed at four time points: before experiment, after completing the blood exchange, and 15 and 30 min after mesenteric injury.