Abstract
In summary, the role of fibronectin in clinical medicine is not yet certain. Correlation of sepsis and organ failure with decreased fibronectin levels is still to some degree questionable; controlled clinical trials are urgently needed. The risk of hepatitis, AIDS, and other transfusion-transmitted diseases must be balanced by data substantiating the clinical efficacy of fibronectin therapy. To date, no results from controlled trials using purified fibronectin have been reported. Final judgement must be reserved pending results of appropriate human studies. It is likely, however, that even if fibronectin is proven to be clinically useful, the patient population which will achieve some benefit from its use will be restricted to septic and/or critically ill patients. As noted by Mosher and Grossman however, physicians treating such patients would likely welcome any new and effective therapeutic intervention.
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