GTC Biotherapeutics (fka GTCB)

[biopearl]

Dew, Interesting findings implying a thrombolytic effect of combination therapy. So to speculate: HD ATIII role is in prevention, that is it provides a missing (or at least decreased level of) a factor that prevents thrombin induced conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin thus reducing the likelyhood of clot formation. In the ovine pulmonary burn model presumably clot from release of tissue factors etc is preexistant in the pulmonary tree and then the combination of heparin plus ATIII is administered, implying thrombolysis (and ? antiinflamatory effects). Wonder if we could analogize to heparin resistance in long pump runs in CABG patients where the heparin requires the presence of ATIII to have any anticoagulation effect at all. Am far removed from the world of hematology except for clinical use of heparin in standard situations so I offer this up as speculative based on no "bench" knowlege. Regards, bp