[Treatment of acute intermittent porphyria with a new protein-bound lyophilized hematin]

Hematin (iron-III-protoporphyrin 9) has been used for several years in the treatment of acute attacks of inducible porphyrias. Three patients were treated with a new, albumin-bound lyophilized hematin preparation (manufactured by Behringwerke). In all patients it achieved a reduction in the urine of the porphyrin precursors porphobilinogen and 5-aminolevulin acid. In two patients the clinical symptoms were clearly improved, while a third patient died with tetraparesis. Hematin administration proved superior to the preceding glucose treatment. No abnormality of clotting or thrombophlebitis was detectable after hematin infusion.