In this cohort study of trauma patients, antithrombin III deficiency was associated with greater severity of illness and worse hospital outcomes. Specifically, antithrombin III deficiency was associated with fewer ventilator-free days, hospital-free days, and ICU-free days.

Antithrombin III–deficient patients had a significantly higher incidence of progressive hemorrhage, highlighting a potential differential role for antithrombin III in trauma-related early endotheliopathy.

Although antithrombin III deficiency was not significantly associated with DVT, patients who developed a DVT had a more precipitous decrease in antithrombin III levels that were significantly lower than patients who did not develop a DVT.

These findings suggest that monitoring of antithrombin III levels may be warranted for trauma patients.

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