Thrombin-Antithrombin Complex in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Various Diseases

Abstract

Thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) in healthy subjects and patients with various diseases was assayed with solid phase enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) kit from Behringwerke A.G. (West Germany).
Sixty healthy subjects had not taken drugs for over 2 weeks before the test, and ranged in age from 22 to 87 years (mean±standard deviation; 50.5±19.4). Their geometric mean plasma TAT was 2.02 μg/l (range from 0.90 to 4.5 μg/l).
Concentrations over 4.5 μg/l were found in 10 of 19 patients with hematopoietic malignancy and solid tumor, and all 11 patients with DIC. In 8 of 9 patients with DIC, plasma TAT concentration at 24 hours after treatment with low molecular weight heparin was lower than that at the onset. In 7 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, plasma concentrations of TAT at the end of the dialysis session were higher than those immediately before dialysis, which platelets, coagulation and fibrinolysis factors are known to be activated by passage through the hemodialyzer.
We conclude that TAT level is a sensitive indicator of latent activation of the clotting pathway.