Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
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Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis · Jan 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialHemostatic effects of antithrombin III supplementation during cardiac surgery: results of a prospective randomized investigation.
Failure to suppress thrombin generation during cardiac surgery promotes fibrin generation, fibrinolysis, and a consumptive coagulopathy. Acquired deficiencies of antithrombin III may play a contributory role. We hypothesized that antithrombin III supplementation to normal physiologic concentrations would decrease thrombin generation and potentially reduce peri-operative bleeding. ⋯ As expected, plasma antithrombin III concentrations were maintained near pre-operative values in the treatment group, but not in the placebo group. Despite this difference, no statistically significant alterations in generation of TAT complex, D-dimer, or blood loss occurred between groups. Antithrombin III supplementation to maintain normal physiologic concentrations during CPB did not alter significantly thrombin generation, fibrinolytic activity, or blood loss in adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery.