Antithrombin therapy for severe preeclampsia: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. BI51.017 Study Group.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether treatment with Antithrombin (AT) concentrates improved the clinical and perinatal outcome in patients with severe preeclampsia. Severe preeclamptic patients (24 to 35 weeks of gestation. Gestosis Index (GI) > or = 6 points) were randomized into two groups: 66 received AT and 67 received placebo. There were no statistical differences in the clinical profiles of the two groups. Study drugs were given intravenously once daily for 7 consecutive days. Maternal symptoms were evaluated from the difference of GI between before and after treatment, and fetal findings were evaluated from the changes of the biophysical profile score and the estimated fetal weight gain. Improvement was significantly greater in the AT group for both the GI (p = 0.020) and the estimated fetal weight gain (p = 0.029). The improvement of coagulation parameters was also evaluated. The D-dimer levels increased significantly in the placebo group (p = 0.026), but did not change in the AT group. Gestation was significantly prolonged (p = 0.007), and the number of low-birth weight infants was significantly smaller (p = 0.011) in the AT group. No adverse events related to AT were observed. It is revealed that AT concentrate therapy for preeclampsia is effective and safe, leading to an improved perinatal outcome.