Cesarean section in a patient with a congenital deficit of antithrombin III: apropos of a case
Benito, M.C.; Sánchez, M.L.; Alvarez, M.V.; Sánchez, P.
Revista Espanola de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion 43(7): 258-260
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9356 PMID: 8966355 Document Number: 467934
Antithrombin III (AT III) is a physiological inhibitor of coagulation. AT III deficit, whether congenital or acquired, results in a state of hypercoagulability characterized by recurring instances of venous thrombosis in young people. Although AT III levels normally change little during pregnancy, a deficit can be associated to the appearance of recurring thromboembolism and the need to perform cesarean section increases the risk. We report a cesarean section under general anesthesia in a patient with congenital AT III, reviewing the etiology and pathophysiology of this entity as well as its treatment.