title: Thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
abstract: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is the physiologic result of pathologic overstimulation of the coagulation system. Despite multiple triggers, a myriad of laboratory abnormalities, and a clinical presentation ranging from gross hemostatic failure to life-threatening thrombosis, or even both simultaneously, a simplified clinical approach augmented by a few readily available tests allows prompt identification of the process and elucidation of treatment opportunities. Platelet counts in DIC may be low, especially in acute sepsis-associated DIC, yet increased in malignancy-associated chronic DIC. Thrombotic risk is not a function of the platelet count, and thrombocytopenia does not protect the patient from thrombosis. The stratification of both thrombotic risk and hemorrhagic risk will be addressed.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. craig.kitchens@medicine.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Craig S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kitchens
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D000077425:Fondaparinux; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000150:complications; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D011134:Polysaccharides; D006493:Heparin; D000077425:Fondaparinux