Replacement of specific coagulation factors in patients with burn: a review

Major burn is often associated with inflammation and coagulation system activation, consumption of endogenous coagulation factors, which have been associated with adverse clinical outcome. Coagulation system dysfunction during early postburn period is characterized by activation of procoagulation pathways, enhanced fibrinolytic activity and impairment of natural anticoagulants activity. Treatment principles focused on the normalization of coagulation and the inhibition of systemic inflammation might have a positive impact on organ function and on the outcome in septic burn patients. Modern treatment strategies using antithrombin, protein C and recombinant factor VIIa are based on early and continuous assessment of the bleeding and coagulation status of burn patients. This allows specific goal directed treatment, thereby optimizing the patient's coagulation status early, minimizing the patient's exposure to blood products, reducing costs and improving the patient's outcome.