[Antithrombin III and its role in normal and pathological hemostasis]

The paper is a survey on the latest up-to-date data on the character, determination methods, physiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance of one of most important factors of anticoagulation system--antithrombin III. Its normal activity is of essential importance for physiological hemostasis. It could be reduced via diminished production, increased elimination and intensified consumption, particularly in case of concomitant grave states and diseases. The enhanced activity of antithrombin III, found most frequently in the treatment with indirect anticoagulants, renal transplantations, and application of anabolic steroids, has given no data of clinical importance so far. Numerous of the outlined problems remain still not sufficiently elucidated.