[Antithrombin III substitution in dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency]

Haemodialysis had become impossible or possible only using high doses of heparin in 20 patients with dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency due to lowering of antithrombin III (AT III). In order to assess the value of AT III substitution for effective heparin treatment and concomitant diminution of the danger of haemorrhage AT III substitution was done in these patients. Six patients. Six patients with acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation were able to undergo dialysis using only 750-1000 IU heparin/h after normalisation of AT III without complications. In 3 patients thrombosing of the extracorporeal system had occurred despite increasing doses of heparin; only after 1500 U AT III subsequent haemodialysis could be performed without thromboses. Dialysis was performed with continuous substitution of the AT III-heparin-complex in 6 patients prone to haemorrhage. 250-500 U of AT III-heparin-complex were sufficient and proved as safe and well manageable possibility of minimal anticoagulation. In 5 patients repeated thrombosing of the haemofilter per day had occurred during continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration. After AT III administration haemofilters could be left in situ for 18-46 hours.