The defibrination syndrome

Abstract

Defibrination is a fairly common clinical entity seen in a wide variety of clinical disorders. With an awareness of the likely clinical settings, a high degree of suspicion, and widely available sensitive laboratory tests, the diagnosis is ordinarily easily made. The best therapy is usually that which is directed at the underlying disease rather than at the defibrination syndrome itself. In certain symptomatic cases, heparin and/or replacement therapy is indicated, especially if the underlying disorder cannot be immediately successfully treated. On occasion, antifibrinolytic therapy will be useful, always with due regard to the danger of renal cortical necrosis. Depending on the clinical setting, it may be advisable to give heparin with the antifibrinolytic therapy to minimize that danger.