METHODS: Eligible patients were diagnosed with the association of thrombus, without tumor thrombus, and thrombus in more than 50% of the cross-sectional lumen of the portal vein. Patients with 70% or less serum level of AT-III were included. The study drug was given up to three times in a 5-day consecutive infusion interval if the thrombus decreased in size. Efficacy was evaluated by contrast enhanced computed tomography using a five-grade scale (complete response, partial response, slight response, no response, and progression). From October 2014 through to March 2016, 36 patients were randomly assigned to the AT-III group and 37 patients to the placebo group.
RESULTS: The proportion of patients with complete response or partial response of PVT was significantly higher in the AT-III group (55.6%; 20/36 patients; 95% confidence interval, 38.1-72.1) than in the placebo group (19.4%; 7/36 patients, 95% confidence interval, 8.2-36.0) (P = 0.003). The overall incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Antithrombin III is one of the essential therapies for patients with PVT in cases with lower concentration levels of AT-III.