title: Disseminated intravascular coagulation: a review of etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management: guidelines for care.
abstract: The pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical, and laboratory manifestations of DIC are complex in part due to interrelationships within the hemostasis system. Only by clearly understanding these extraordinarily complex pathophysiologic interrelationships can the clinician and laboratory scientist appreciate the divergent and wide spectrum of often confusing clinical and laboratory findings in patients with DIC. Many therapeutic decisions to be made are controversial and lack validation. Nevertheless, newer antithrombotic agents, and agents that can block, blunt, or modify cytokine activity and the activity of vasoactive substances appear to be of value. The complexity and variable degree of clinical expression suggests that therapy should be individualized depending on the nature of DIC, age, etiology of DIC, site and severity of hemorrhage or thrombosis and hemodynamics and other appropriate clinical parameters. At present, treatment of the triggering event, low-dose heparin or antithrombin concentrate and wise choice of components when indicated appear to be the most effective modes of therapy.
authors: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas Thrombosis Hemostasis Clinical Center, ThromboCare Laboratories, 75231, USA. rbick@thrombosis.com
authors: Rodger L
authors: RL
authors: Bick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D019090:Case Management; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004619:Embolism, Amniotic Fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors