Trauma severity-dependent changes in at III activity

Trauma may cause a relevant reduction in antithrombin (AT) III activity, wh ich is associated with adverse events. The very early changes in AT III act ivity after accident trauma are still unclear and possible relations with I nterleukin (IL)-6, which is known to interact with AT ill, have not been in vestigated so far. Upon approval of the IRB/IEC, 30 patients were enrolled with multiple injuries (ISS 9-75). Groups were performed according to injur y severity, IL-6 concentration, and survivors versus non-survivors. Blood s amples were collected at the scene of accident then at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h and at day 3, 5, 10 and 15. No patient received AT III concentrates. In a ll groups a reduction in AT III activity occurred, which was most pronounce d in very severe injuries. The activity re-increased spontaneously and stea dily in all groups regardless of the IL-6 concentration. There was no clear impact of the AT III activity on survival.