title: Coagulation dysfunction in sepsis and multiple organ system failure.
abstract: In patients diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, cytokine-mediated endothelial injury, and TF activation initiate a cascade of events that culminate in the development of coagulation dysfunction characterized as procoagulant and antifibrinolytic. This abnormal state predisposes the patient to develop microvascular thrombosis, tissue ischemia, and organ hypoperfusion. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome may be a product of this pertubation in coagulation regulation. Treatments aimed at correcting this coagulation dysfunction have met with mixed success. Current data suggest that AT III replacement therapy has limited efficacy in adults with severe sepsis. In contrast, adult patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and organ failure and treated with aPC (drotrecogin alfa activate) have a significantly reduced risk of death when compared with placebo-treated patients. A phase III trial examining the efficacy of protein C replacement therapy in pediatric patients with severe sepsis and organ failure is underway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nimah
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Brilli
mesh_terms: D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010372:Pediatrics; D011486:Protein C / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C051928:lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor; D000990:Antithrombin III