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Published on: February 27, 2026

Antithrombin activity in children with chylothorax

Vera Bernet-Buettiker1, Katharina Waldvogel, Vincenzo Cannizzaro

  • 1Division of Neonatology and Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland. vera.bernet@kispi.unizh.ch

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery : Official Journal of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
|January 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with chylothorax after heart surgery experience increased antithrombin loss. This may elevate their risk for thrombosis, suggesting antithrombin substitution could be beneficial.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Chylothorax is a complication following cardiac surgery in children.
  • Antithrombin is a key protein in the coagulation cascade.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate antithrombin levels in children with chylothorax post-cardiac surgery.
  • To assess the association between antithrombin loss and thrombosis risk.

Main Methods:

  • Assayed antithrombin activity in plasma and pleural effusion samples.
  • Compared children with chylous effusion to those with non-chylous effusion.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher antithrombin activity in chylous pleural effusion compared to non-chylous.
  • Significantly lower antithrombin levels in the plasma of children with chylothorax.
  • Higher incidence of thrombosis in children with chylothorax.

Conclusions:

  • Children with chylothorax exhibit increased antithrombin loss.
  • This loss may predispose them to thrombosis.
  • Consider antithrombin substitution in critically ill children with chylothorax.
Abstract

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