hematology and oncology
Antithrombin Deficiency
Introduction
Because antithrombin inhibitsthrombinand factors Xa, IXa, and XIa, deficiency of antithrombin predisposes to venous thrombosis. (See also Overview of Thrombotic Disorders .) Antithrombin is a plasma protein that inhibitsthrombinand factors Xa, IXa, and XIa, thereby inhibiting thrombosis. Heterozygous deficiency of antithrombin has a prevalence of about 0.02 to 0.2% ( General reference ); about half of people affected develop Acquired deficiencies occur in patients with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) , liver disease, or 