Related Experiment Videos
Disseminated intravascular coagulation in sepsis.
R M Hardaway1, C H Williams, Y Vasquez
1Department of Surgery and Anesthesiology, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, Texas 79905, USA. carias@ttmeelp.ttuhsc.edu
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
|December 12, 2001
Summary
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is common, not rare, and severe bleeding is infrequent. The body
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is commonly misperceived as rare and primarily causing severe bleeding.
- Traditional beliefs about DIC, such as low fibrinogen levels and normal clotting parameters, are often inaccurate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correct common misconceptions about the prevalence and clinical presentation of DIC.
- To explore the role of fibrinolysis in DIC and evaluate treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical observations regarding DIC.
- Analysis of the pathophysiology of fibrin formation and lysis in DIC.
- Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of heparin versus plasminogen activators in DIC treatment.
Main Results:
- Bleeding is rare in DIC; fibrinogen levels are typically elevated due to stress response.
- DIC is highly prevalent but often undiagnosed due to subtle presentation and difficulty in detecting fibrin thrombi.
- Endogenous fibrinolysis may successfully clear microclots, a process that can be enhanced by plasminogen activators, while heparin is ineffective and potentially harmful.
Conclusions:
- DIC is a common, often undiagnosed condition with infrequent severe bleeding.
- Plasminogen activators represent a promising therapeutic approach for DIC by promoting clot lysis, unlike heparin.
- Understanding the role of fibrinolysis is crucial for effective DIC management.