Inherited antithrombin-III deficiency causing mesenteric venous infarction: a new clinical entity.
Primary superior mesenteric venous thrombosis is sometimes preceded by peripheral thrombophlebitis. Inherited antithrombin-III deficiency is a recently recognized autosomal dominant trait, which is characterized by thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism. This case report illustrates many features of both entities and strongly suggest a causal relationship. While long-term therapy has yet to be established, prophylactic therapy is recommended when asymptomatic individuals with known antithrombin-III deficiency are at increased risk of thrombosis. The efficacy of heparin alone has been unreliable, whereas Coumadin has been encouraging. Antithrombin-III concentrates are being developed and theoretically should be helpful. Patients with thrombophlebitis or pulmonary embolism should be suspected of having antithrombin-III deficiency. Such individuals also represent one mechanism to explain "primary" mesenteric venous thrombosis.
D000328:Adult; D000991:Antithrombins; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008642:Mesenteric Veins; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000991:Antithrombins; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin