The pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy has been related to modifications in hemostasis and fibrinolysis. 50 non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients have been studied. Euglobulin clot lysis time, fibrin plate, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity, Protein C and S, cholesterol, triglycerides and Hb A1c were determined in blood samples. Diabetic patients showed decreased fibrinolytic activity, as measured by ECLT, with clearly increased PAI levels. Fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion was lower than normal. Vascular complications were associated both with an even higher PAI activity and with a decreased fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion. Elevated PAI activity and decreased fibrinolytic response to stimulus may contribute to vascular disease in diabetes.