noun
- A protein in the blood that inhibits blood clotting by inactivating thrombin and other clotting factors.
Usage: medical/clinical term; often abbreviated as AT or AT III (antithrombin III)
Examples
- Antithrombin is a natural anticoagulant that prevents excessive blood clot formation.
- Low levels of antithrombin can increase the risk of thrombosis.
- The patient's antithrombin activity was measured to assess clotting risk.
- Antithrombin works by binding to and neutralizing thrombin in the bloodstream.
- Genetic deficiency of antithrombin is a rare inherited disorder affecting blood coagulation.