CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

ASSESSMENT OF ANTITHROMBIN III LEVELS

Abstract

T his study was designed to estimate AT III levels in patients with chronic liver disease and to correlate it with
other coagulation screening tests. In the present study 30 patients of chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) were included.
Twenty healthy controls were selected who have no liver disease, not taking any hepatotoxic drug or any
anticoagulant. The following tests were performed, AT III levels PT, APTT, Fibrinogen levels and serum albumin.
Significantly reduced levels of AT III were recorded in the patient group as compared with the healthy controls. A
significant negative correlation was found between AT III and Prothrombin time. The patient showed reduced AT
III levels with normal PT. A positive correlation was found between serum albumin and AT III. It is concluded that
reduced AT III level is more sensitive indicator of synthetic function of liver and thrombo-embolic phenominon
should be suspected in patients of chronic liver disease when AT III levels are reduced.