Antithrombin III concentrates in intensive care.

Antithrombin III concentrates offer a new therapeutic possibility for immediately increasing the inhibitory potential of plasma. Although heparin activates ATIII, thereby accelerating its consumption, it cannot increase the overall inhibitory capacity towards coagulation. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is in relation with the presence of sufficient amounts of ATIII. The intensive care of patients with liver failure, amniotic fluid embolism, heavy bleedings and septicemia was greatly aided by the substitution of ATIII. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was prevented or interrupted and there are observations suggesting that also shock lung and shock kidney are avoided. The substitution of ATIII allows an extremely extensive therapeutic plasmapheresis without the risk of thromboses.