Alternative treatments for disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract

The acronym DIC is commonly interpreted as "death is coming". This pessimistic view emphasizes the deficiency of available treatment options following diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Clinically, DIC manifests as a systemic hemorrhagic disorder associated with widespread activation and eventual exhaustion of the coagulation system, although events underlying DIC also involve effectors of inflammation. DIC can be associated with diverse conditions including sepsis and major trauma and, when identified, signifies a significant worsening in prognosis and expected mortality. Although recent clinical studies have shown that activated protein C reduces mortality in patients with severe sepsis, there is a need for further investigation and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms.