Abstract
Antithrombin III (AT III) inhibit thrombin or activiated factor X progressively, and inhibitory activity of AT III is drastically accelerated by heparin. Heparin has been widely used for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) to stop the intravascular clotting process. But as its anticoagulant activity depends on the presence of AT III in the blood, heparin may be less effective when AT III is defficient.
In DIC, activated coagulation factors particularly factor X and thrombin react with AT III to form complexes, leading to neutralization of these activities. The complexes are rapidly disposed of by the reticuloendothelial system and dissappear from the circulation.
We have administered AT III concentrates to 22 patients with DIC who failed to respond initially to heparin therapy for the last five years. About 65% of these patients were effectively treated with AT III concentrates by enhancing the effect of heparin and alleviating the burden of excessive plasma transfusion on the cardiovascular system.
