Abstract
A patient with familial antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency was reported, who showed myocardial infarction at 30 years old and multiple cerebral infarctions after 43 years old. Cerebral angiogram showed severe atherosclerotic changes in internal carotid artery and anterior cerebral artery. Serum ATIII concentration and activity was markedly decreased to 7 mg/dl and 40%, respectively. One of his brothers also showed decreased concentration and activity of ATIII to 18 mg/dl and 46%, respectively. After the administration of anti-platelet drug, its concentration increased gradually.
It is extremely rare that multiple thrombosis develop in arterial system in a case of familial ATIII deficiency, although venous thrombosis are popular. This case suggests that decrease of ATIII may play a role in atherogenesis and anti-platelet therapy could be effective in such a patient.
