Critically Ill Patients Do Not Benefit from Antithrombin III

It did not reduce mortality or other outcome measures but did increase bleeding risk.

Critical illness may cause widespread inflammation, vascular damage, activation of the coagulation system, and ultimately disseminated intravascular coagulation. Blood levels of antithrombin III, which has anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, drop sharply during critical illness. Hence, replenishing antithrombin III levels in critically ill patients seems logical. However, whether these patients benefit from antithrombin III, an expensive medication derived from donated human plasma, is uncertain.

Danish investigators examined the benefits and harms of antithrombin III in critical illness in a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials involving 3458 patients. Compared with placebo or no intervention, antithrombin…

Reviewing Author

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP