RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF ANTITHROMBIN III VERSUS PLACEBO IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERITONEO-VENOUS SHUNT OPERATION
A randomized trial of Antithrombin III (AT III) versus placebo was performed in patients undergoing peritoneo-venous shunt operation because of intractable ascites. 10 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (Child's stages B and C) were enrolled. Randomization was performed according to the stage of liver disease and to preoperative AT III levels. AT III concentrate (kindly provided by Kabi) was infused in 5 patients, twice daily for 4 days, at a dose of 20 U/kg BW, starting 12 hours prior to operation. Coagulation studies were performed preoperatively, and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7.In all patients, ethanol gelation test was positive on postoperative days 1 and 3, indicating the presence of fibrin monomers. No difference between the two groups was seen with respect to prothrombin times, coagulation factor levels, FPA concentrations or fibrinolysis parameters. It is concluded that the severity of disseminated intravascular coagulation can be tempered by AT III substitution, but, with the administered dosage, DIC cannot be prevented.