[Epidemiological evaluation of thromboembolic risk. Critical review of the prospects offered by determination of antithrombin III].

Authors review the epidemiology of deep venous thrombosis and the prothrombotic state in high risk patients; particularly antithrombin III role in blood clotting is considered. A fall in antithrombin III concentration and/or activity can induce hypercoagulability and thrombosis. Moreover authors stress the need to evaluate antithrombin III as anti-Xa activity, to detect high risk patients for deep venous thrombosis.