The changes of plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex in the patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing...

In patients with severe lower limb ischemia the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems have been found to be activated preoperatively. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes of TAT level as a selected coagulation factor, before, during and after surgical revascularization and the analysis of the impact of coexisting diseases on the coagulation during the procedure.

50 patients with PAOD, in Fontaine stages IIb to IV (29 men and 21 women; median age 65.8 years, ASA II/III) undergoing elective surgical revascularization were studied. Two groups of patients were compared: 20 undergoing reconstruction on aorto-femoral and 30 on femoropopliteal level. Blood samples were collected 5 times: 24 hours before the operation; intraoperatively after artery exposure; after heparin administration and clamping; after reperfusion and -24 hours postoperatively.

Elevated values of TAT (10.5 g/l ±7.1) were found before the operation. The elevated value of TAT increased intraoperatively (25.1 g/l ±44.58; p<0.001) (norm 1-4.1 g/l) and maintaining higher levels after the surgery. The significant correlations between plasma level of TAT and ischemia degree were found. Also the correlation between intraoperative increase of TAT and the duration of surgery was noticed. No significant differences between two analysed groups were observed.

The results indicate the activation of coagulation and prothrombotic state in the patients with advanced arteriosclerosis. During the surgical revascularisation permanent increase of activation of blood coagulation was observed. This activation depends on duration of the procedure and maintains increased one-day after the operation. Our findings may explain the unexpected occurrence of early thrombotic complications after technically successful vascular reconstructions.