Fatal pulmonary embolism and antithrombin III deficiency in adult lymphoblastic leukaemia during L-asparaginase therapy.
We describe 2 adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) who died from pulmonary embolism following L-asparaginase treatment. Since this drug is known to cause a decrease in antithrombin III, the most important protein physiologically involved in the neutralization of thrombin, we studied the behaviour of this inhibitor in 14 ALL patients treated with a protocol including a 14-day course of L-asparaginase. A significant but transient fall of biological and immunological antithrombin III and a concomitant reduction of fibrinogen were documented.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000032:analysis; D020152:Antithrombin III Deficiency; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced
D000990:Antithrombin III; D005340:Fibrinogen; D001215:Asparaginase