Subnormal concentrations of alpha 2 Antiplasmin (alpha 2 AP) in liver cirrhosis may be due to an impaired hepatic synthesis and/or to a fibrinolysis activation in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In order to clarify this problem, in 26 cirrhotic patients (15 compensated and 11 decompensated) alpha 2 AP plasma activity and plasma Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were measured. Serum albumin, p-Cholinesterase (p-CHE), Fibrinogen and Fibrinogen Degradation Products (FDP) were also carried out. Our data show that alpha 2 AP and FPA were equally abnormal in compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. The significant negative correlation obtained between alpha 2 AP and FPA as well as the lack of correlation between alpha 2 AP and albumin, alpha 2 AP and p-CHE in both groups suggests that, in our patients, alpha 2 AP decrease may be due to a fibrinolysis activation induced by a DIC which appears chronic since Fibrinogen and FDP were normal. These findings are in agreement with the results obtained in the four subgroups a posteriori selected on the basis of FPA levels: alpha 2 AP in subgroups with high FPA was significantly different from controls while it did not differ in subgroups with normal FPA.