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.
Keywords
Antithrombin - burn injury - coagulation markers - disseminated in-travascular coagulation
- sequential organ failure assessment score