Summary
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether
treatment with Antithrombin (AT) concentrates improved the clinical and perinatal
outcome in patients with severe preeclampsia. Severe preeclamptic patients (24 to
35 weeks of gestation, Gestosis Index (GI) > 6 points) were randomized into two groups:
66 received AT and 67 received placebo. There were no statistical differences in the
clinical profiles of the two groups. Study drugs were given intravenously once daily
for 7 consecutive days. Maternal symptoms were evaluated from the difference of GI
between before and after treatment, and fetal findings were evaluated from the changes
of the biophysical profile score and the estimated fetal weight gain. Improvement
was significantly greater in the AT group for both the GI (p = 0.020) and the estimated
fetal weight gain (p = 0.029). The improvement of coagulation parameters was also
evaluated. The D-dimer levels increased significantly in the placebo group (p = 0.026),
but did not change in the AT group. Gestation was significantly prolonged (p = 0.007),
and the number of low-birth weight infants was significantly smaller (p = 0.011) in
the AT group. No adverse events related to AT were observed. It is revealed that AT
concentrate therapy for preeclampsia is effective and safe, leading to an improved
perinatal outcome.
Key words
Preeclampsia - hypercoagulable state - vasoconstriction - antithrombin (AT) concentrate
- low-birth weight infant