Thromb Haemost 2008; 100(02): 286-290
DOI: 10.1160/TH07-11-0684
Wound Healing and Inflammation / Infection
Schattauer GmbH

The efficacy of antithrombin administration in the acute phase of burn injury

Athina Lavrentieva
1   Burn Intensive Care Unit, Papanicolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Theodore Kontakiotis
2   Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Militsa Bitzani
1   Burn Intensive Care Unit, Papanicolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Aggeliki Parlapani
3   Anesthesiology Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Olympia Thomareis
3   Anesthesiology Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Harisios Scourtis
3   Anesthesiology Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Nicolaos Tsotsolis
3   Anesthesiology Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Lambis Lazaridis
4   Plastic Surgery Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Maria-Amalia Giala
3   Anesthesiology Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 16 November 2007

Accepted after major revision 02 June 2008

Publication Date:
25 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Severe burn injury is characterized by the activation of coagulation, decreased fibrinolytic activity and decreased natural anticoagulant activity. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of antithrombin (AT) administration on coagulation status and on organ function in the early post-burn period. Thirty-one patients were admitted to the burn intensive care unit and were then randomised into two groups (AT- treated and non-AT-treated) for four consecutive days after thermal injury. The clinical data, coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were compared and the adverse effects were monitored. Significant differences in the time course of coagulation markers (thrombin/AT complexes, tissue plasminogen activator, D-dimer) were observed between AT-treated and non-AT treated groups. According to the International Society onThrombosis and Haemostasis criteria, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) diagnosis was made in 28 of 31 patients. The presence of overt DIC was associated with mortality (p<0.001).The Sequential Organ Failure As-sessment (SOFA) score time trend differed significantly between the two investigation groups (decreased in the treated group and did not change in the non-AT-treated group). AT-treated patients had an absolute reduction in a 28-day mortality of 25% as compared to the non-AT-treated group (p=0.004). No treatment related side effects were observed. Treatment withAT seems to affect the coagulation status and reduce multiple organ failure incidence and mortality in the early post-burn period.