Effect of heparin, hirudin, and a synthetic thrombin inhibitor on antithrombin III in thrombin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in rats.

Abstract

The effect of heparin, hirudin, and a synthetic thrombin inhibitor on antithrombin III, fibrinogen and platelets was studied in a rat model of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) induced by thrombin infusion. Antithrombin III is consumed during thrombin infusion to a limited degree. Simultaneous administration of exogenous thrombin inhibitors ameliorates the consumption of fibrinogen and platelets. At high thrombin doses, tolerated only during additional administration of thrombin inhibitors, heparin leads to increased consumption of antithrombin III, whereas hirudin and the synthetic inhibitor do not. In every case, the thrombin effect on fibrinogen and platelets is inhibited.