title: Serum des-R prothrombin activation peptide fragment 2: a novel prognostic marker for disseminated intravascular coagulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is diagnosed based on the combination of predisposing underlying conditions and laboratory tests for plasma coagulation markers. Because the collection of blood plasma samples is a fastidious procedure, the serum sample method may be preferred for measurement of coagulation markers when feasible.
  
  
  METHODS
  The novel serum marker des-R prothrombin activation peptide fragment 2 (des-R F2) was measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 181 patients suspected of having DIC. Thrombin generation potential was estimated with a calibrated automated thrombogram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum des-R F2 was generated with an in vitro clotting process within a serum separation tube after blood collection. Carboxypeptidase inhibitor inhibited the formation of des-R F2 during in vitro clotting. Low levels of prothrombin and thrombin generation potential resulted in low serum des-R F2 levels. Serum des-R F2 was significantly decreased in overt DIC. Levels of des-R F2 correlated with DIC severity and other coagulation markers. Of note, the decrease in serum des-R F2 levels was a significant marker for predicting mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum marker, des-R F2, can be used for the investigation of DIC severity and prognosis. It should be considered a useful marker, especially when only serum samples are available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ji-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yeon
authors.forename: Yong Sung
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Chul Woo
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C044183:prothrombin fragment 2; D011516:Prothrombin