Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation: an update.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a disorder characterized by an acute generalized, widespread activation of coagulation, which results in thrombotic complications, due to the intravascular formation of fibrin, as well as diffuse hemorrhages, due to the consumption of platelets and coagulation factors. In this review, we briefly report the present knowledge about the pathophysiology and diagnosis of DIC. We also focus on the current standard treatment of overt DIC in clinical practice. Particular attention is given to novel therapeutic strategies, which reflect the important progresses made in the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder in the last few years.
Franchini
Massimo
M
Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusione, Centro Emofilia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona, Verona, Italy. mfranchini@mail.univr.it
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000379:methods
D000925:Anticoagulants