Predictive value of thrombin-antithrombin III complex and tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex biomarkers in assessing the severity of early-stage acute pancreatitis

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Oct;39(10):2088-2096. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16641. Epub 2024 Jun 1.

Abstract

Background and aim: The development of acute pancreatitis (AP) is strongly linked to blood clotting and fibrinolysis issues. Modern clinical practices now utilize advanced blood markers like thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex, thrombomodulin (TM), and tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) to assess thrombosis risk. Our study used a highly sensitive chemiluminescence technique to measure these markers in AP patients, aiming to determine their early predictive value for AP severity.

Methods: There were 173 patients with AP, all of whom developed symptoms within 72 h; 102 individuals had onset symptoms within 48 h. The biomarkers were measured upon admission before determining the severity of AP.

Results: The levels of TAT, plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex, TM, and t-PAIC were significantly higher in the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group compared with the mild acute pancreatitis and moderate severe acute pancreatitis groups. For the patients within 72 h of onset, TAT, TM, and t-PAIC predicted the occurrence of SAP. For the patients within 48 h of onset, TAT and t-PAIC predicted the occurrence of SAP. The area under the curve (AUC) of prediction models is similar to Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) but significantly higher than C-reactive protein (P < 0.05). Notably, t-PAIC had a larger AUC than TAT, BISAP, and C-reactive protein.

Conclusion: In the initial 48 h, plasma TAT and t-PAIC levels may predict the development of SAP. Within 72 h, plasma levels of TAT, TM, and t-PAIC may predict the development of SAP, and the TAT + TM + t-PAIC prediction model achieved a maximum AUC of 0.915, comparable to BISAP.

Keywords: coagulation; severe acute pancreatitis; thrombin–antithrombin III complex (TAT); thrombomodulin (TM); tissue plasminogen activator–inhibitor complex (t‐PAIC).

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antithrombin III*
  • Biomarkers* / blood
  • Female
  • Fibrinolysin
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis* / blood
  • Pancreatitis* / diagnosis
  • Peptide Hydrolases / blood
  • Predictive Value of Tests*
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Thrombomodulin / blood
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / blood
  • alpha-2-Antiplasmin / analysis
  • alpha-2-Antiplasmin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Antithrombin III
  • antithrombin III-protease complex
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Thrombomodulin
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator
  • plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex
  • alpha-2-Antiplasmin
  • Fibrinolysin