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. 2014 Mar;7(3):604-608.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2013.1466. Epub 2013 Dec 31.

Low-dose heparin as treatment for early disseminated intravascular coagulation during sepsis: A prospective clinical study

Xiao-Li Liu  1 , Xiao-Zhi Wang  1 , Xiu-Xiang Liu  1 , Dong Hao  1 , Yasaman Jaladat  2 , Feng Lu  1 , Ting Sun  1 , Chang-Jun Lv  1
Affiliations

Low-dose heparin as treatment for early disseminated intravascular coagulation during sepsis: A prospective clinical study

Xiao-Li Liu et al. Exp Ther Med. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate whether low-dose heparin improves the condition of patients suffering from early disseminated intravascular coagulation (pre-DIC) during sepsis. In total, 37 patients were randomly divided into low-dose heparin intervention and control groups. The heparin group received a low-dose of heparin for 5-7 days, while the other group received only saline. The two groups were treated for sepsis. Blood samples were collected at various times and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE)-II scores were recorded at day 1 and 7. In addition, the number of days applying mechanical ventilation and in the intensive care unit (ICU) were recorded, as well as the 28-day mortality rate. APACHE-II scores in the two groups decreased following treatment, however, scores in the heparin group decreased more significantly. Prothrombin fragment and thrombin-antithrombin complex levels in the heparin group were significantly decreased. In addition, the number of days applying a ventilator was fewer and the total stay in ICU was significantly shorter compared with the control group. Significantly fewer complications were observed in the heparin group, however, there was no significant difference in the 28-day mortality rate. In conclusion, low-dose heparin improves the hypercoagulable state of sepsis, which subsequently reduces the incidence of DIC or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, decreasing the number of days of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization.

Keywords: clinical trial; coagulation; disseminated intravascular coagulation; low-dose heparin; sepsis; treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hospitalization causes of the patients included in the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Various pathogens identified in the sputum or body fluids of the patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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