Risk Factors for Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Coagulation Abnormalities:A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective Coagulation abnormalities are common and prognostically significant in intensive care units(ICUs)and are associated with increased mortality.This study aimed to explore the association between the levels of coagulation markers and the risk of mortality among ICU patients with coagulation abnormalities.Methods This retrospective study investigated patients with coagulation abnormalities in the ICU between January 2021 and December 2022.The initial point for detecting hemostatic biomarkers due to clinical assessment of coagulation abnormalities was designated day 0.Patients were followed up for 28 days,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify risk factors for mortality.Results Of the 451 patients analyzed,115 died,and 336 were alive at the end of the 28-day period.Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated thrombin-antithrombin complex(TAT),tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor complex(tPAIC),prolonged prothrombin time,and thrombocytopenia were independent risk factors for mortality.For nonovert disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)patients,older age and thrombocytopenia were associated with increased risks of mortality,whereas elevated levels of plasminα2-plasmin inhibitor complex(PIC)were found to be independent predictors of survival.In patients with overt DIC,elevated levels of tPAIC were independently associated with increased risks of mortality.Nevertheless,thrombocytopenia was independently associated with increased risks of mortality in patients with pre-DIC.Conclusion Coagulation markers such as the TAT,tPAIC,PIC,and platelet count were significantly associated with mortality,underscoring the importance of maintaining a balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis.These findings highlight the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions based on specific coagulation markers to improve patient outcomes.

Comparison between sepsis-induced coagulopathy and sepsis-associated coagulopathy criteria in identifying sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation

BACKGROUND:Disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)is associated with increased mortality in sepsis patients.In this study,we aimed to assess the clinical ability of sepsis-induced coagulopathy(SIC)and sepsis-associated coagulopathy(SAC)criteria in identifying overt-DIC and preDIC status in sepsis patients.METHODS:Data from 419 sepsis patients were retrospectively collected from July 2018 to December 2022.The performances of the SIC and SAC were assessed to identify overt-DIC on days 1,3,7,or 14.The SIC status or SIC score on day 1,the SAC status or SAC score on day 1,and the sum of the SIC or SAC scores on days 1 and 3 were compared in terms of their ability to identify pre-DIC.The SIC or SAC status on day 1 was evaluated as a pre-DIC indicator for anticoagulant initiation.RESULTS:On day 1,the incidences of coagulopathy according to overt-DIC,SIC and SAC criteria were 11.7%,22.0%and 31.5%,respectively.The specificity of SIC for identifying overt-DIC was significantly higher than that of the SAC criteria from day 1 to day 14(P<0.05).On day 1,the SIC score with a cut-off value>3 had a significantly higher sensitivity(72.00%)and area under the curve(AUC)(0.69)in identifying pre-DIC than did the SIC or SAC status(sensitivity:SIC status 44.00%,SAC status 52.00%;AUC:SIC status 0.62,SAC status 0.61).The sum of the SIC scores on days 1 and 3 had a higher AUC value for identifying the pre-DIC state than that of SAC(0.79 vs.0.69,P<0.001).Favorable effects of anticoagulant therapy were observed in SIC(adjusted hazard ratio[HR]=0.216,95%confidence interval[95%CI]:0.060–0.783,P=0.018)and SAC(adjusted HR=0.146,95%CI:0.041–0.513,P=0.003).CONCLUSION:The SIC and SAC seem to be valuable for predicting overt-DIC.The sum of SIC scores on days 1 and 3 has the potential to help identify pre-DIC.

Hybrid argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus:A prospective,multicenter study

BACKGROUND The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China is lower compared to the Western populations.Hence,studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited.The current treatment options available for BE treatment includes argon plasma coagulation(APC),radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation,all with varying degrees of success.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC in the treatment of BE.METHODS The study cohort consisted of patients with BE who underwent HybridAPC ablation treatment.These procedures were performed by seven endoscopists from different tertiary hospitals.The duration of the procedure,curative rate,complications and recurrent rate by 1-year follow-up were recorded.RESULTS Eighty individuals were enrolled for treatment from July 2017 to June 2020,comprising of 39 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years(range,30 to 83 years).The technical success rate of HybridAPC was 100%and the overall curative rate was 98.15%.No severe complications occurred during the operation.BE cases were classified as short-segment BE and long-segment BE.Patients with short-segment BE were all considered cured without complications.Thirty-six patients completed the one-year follow-up without recurrence.Twenty-four percent had mild dysplasia which were all resolved with one post-procedural treatment.The mean duration of the procedure was 10.94±6.52 min.CONCLUSION Treatment of BE with HybridAPC was found to be a simple and quick procedure that is safe and effective during the short-term follow-up,especially in cases of short-segment BE.This technique could be considered as a feasible alternative ablation therapy for BE.

Effects of Coagulation and Ozonation Pretreatments on Biochemical Treatment of Fluid Catalytic Cracking Wastewater

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) salty wastewaters, containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), are very difficult to treat by biochemical process. Anoxic/oxic (A/O) biochemical system, based on nitrification and denitrification reactions, was used to assess their possible biodegradation. Because of the negative effects of high salt concentration (3%), heavy metals and toxic organic matter on microorganisms’ activities, some techniques consisting of dilution, coagulation and flocculation, and ozonation pretreatments, were gradually tested to evaluate chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia-nitrogen (ammonia-N) and total nitrogen (TN) removal rates. In this process of FCC wastewater, starting with university-domesticated sludge, the ammonia-N and TN removal rates were worst. However, when using domesticated SBR’s sludge and operating with five-fold daily diluted influent (thus reducing salt concentration), the ammonia-N removal reached about 57% while the TN removal rate was less than 37% meaning an amelioration of the nitrification process. However, by reducing the dilution factors, these results were inflected after some days of operation, with ammonia-N removal decreasing and TN barely removed meaning a poor nitrification. Even by reducing heavy metals concentration with coagulation/flocculation process, the results never changed. Thereafter, by using ozonation pre-treatment to degrade the detected organic matter of di-tert-butylphenol and certain isoparaffins, COD, ammonia-N and TN removal rates reached 92%, 62% and 61%, respectively. These results showed that the activities of the microorganisms were increased, thus indicating a net denitrification and nitrification reactions improvement.

Research on Treating Thallium by Enhanced Coagulation Oxidation Process

[Objective] The aim was to treat acidic wastewater containing thallium by enhanced coagulation oxidation process. [Method] Enhanced coagulation oxidation process was made use of to remove thallium in the acidic wastewater in the experiment under the condition of 0.05 kg/L of potassium permanganate, 30% hydrogen peroxide and 0.05 kg/L calcium hypochlorite as oxidant, together with 0.092 kg/L CaO as coagulation. [Result] The results showed that thallium removal efficiencies achieved 99.98%, 99.1% and 99.95% when dosages of KMnO4, H2O2and Ca（ClO）2were added at 20, 2.2 and 37 ml, respectively, under the condition of 30 ml 0.092kg/L CaO being dosed and 99.93%, 99.69% and 99.98% were achieved when different dosages of CaO were added at 25, 35 and 25 ml, under the condition of 20ml KMnO4, 2.2 ml H2O2and 37 ml Ca（ClO）2respectively. [Conclusion] The experiment demonstrates that good removal effects of removal thallium from the acidic wastewater would be achieved by enhanced coagulation oxidation process.

Virus Removal by Iron Coagulation Processes

Waterborne viruses account for 30% to 40% of infectious diarrhea, and some viruses could persevere for some months in nature and move up to 100 m in groundwater. Using filtration setups, coagulation could lessen virus charges as an efficient pre-treatment for reducing viruses. This work discusses the present-day studies on virus mitigation using coagulation in its three versions i.e., chemical coagulation (CC), enhanced coagulation, and electrocoagulation (EC), and debates the new results of virus demobilization. The complexity of viruses as bioparticles and the process of virus demobilization should be adopted, even if the contribution of permeability in virus sorption and aggregation needs to be clarified. The information about virion permeability has been evaluated by interpreting empirical electrophoretic mobility (EM). No practical measures of virion permeability exist, a clear link between permeability and virion composition and morphology has not been advanced, and the direct influence of inner virion structures on surface charge or sorption has yet to be conclusively demonstrated. CC setups utilizing zero-valent or ferrous iron could be killed by iron oxidation, possibly using EC and electrooxidation (EO) methods. The oxidants evolution in the iron oxidation method has depicted promising findings in demobilizing bacteriophage MS2, even if follow-up investigations employing an elution method are needed to secure that bacteriophage elimination is related to demobilization rather than sorption. As a perspective, we could be apt to anticipate virus conduct and determine new bacteriophage surrogates following subtle aspects such as protein structures or genome size and conformation. The present discussion’s advantages would extend far beyond an application in CC—from filtration setups to demobilization by nanoparticles to modeling virus fate and persistence in nature.

STRUCTURE-FUNCTION FEATURES AND EFFECTS ON BLOOD COAGULATION OF SNAKE VENOM SERINE PROTEASES*

Snake venoms,especially those from the two subfamilies,Crotalinae and Viperinae,contained a lot of serine proteases. They were responsible for the hemorrhage,shock,or disorder of blood coagulation after envenomation. They acted,by activating,inactivating,or other converting effects,on almost all the components of hemostatic and fibrinolytic systems. Their sequences were homologous to trypsin-kallikrein serine proteases. Variation of primary sequences out of active center results in the difference of substrate specificities and the further difference of biological and pharmacological activities. Because of their common and unique properties compared to their physiological corresponding factors,snake venom proteases are proved to be an excellent model for the study of protease substrate discriminating mechanism. Furthermore,they have found an important position both in basic research and application of hemostasis and thrombosis in clinic.

Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Patients with Primary and Metastatic Hepatic Tumors

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for patients with primary and metastatic hepatic tumors.Methods: The enrolled 100 patients with 186 tumor nodules who underwent PMCT included 79 cases of primary or recurrent liver cancers and 21 cases of metastatic liver cancer. The tumors were divided into two groups according to the tumor size in diameter: group A, 0.5 cm?<3 cm; group B, ≥3 cm?<5 cm. Under local and/or epidural anesthesia, a single percutaneous microwave antenna (or two antennas array applicator) was inserted directly into the tumor in the liver for thermo-coagulation with the aid of ultrasound guidance.Results: Among the 186 lesions in 100 patients with primary and metastatic liver cancers, in group A, 123 (66%) were coagulated once. A Follow-up of 6–12 months demonstrated that 112 lesions (91%) showed no local recurrence by CT or MRI; In group B, of the 63 lesions (33.87%) coagulated twice, 31 (49%) showed no local recurrence by CT or MRI during a follow-up of 6 months. There were no serious clinical side effects or complications in all the PMCT patients.Conclusion: PMCT gives satisfactory curative effect on tumors with <3 cm in size. It is partly effective on lesions ≥3 cm?<5 cm in size. It is a minimally invasive and effective therapy, can be used safely in the field of percutaneous hepatis surgery, and carried out even in patients with poor liver function. Key words hepatocellular carcinoma - microwave - coagulation - therapy

Epinephrine plus argon plasma or heater probe coagulation in ulcer bleeding

AIM:To compare the effectiveness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) and heater probe coagulation (HPC) in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.METHODS:Eighty-five (18 female,67 male) patients admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric or duodenal ulcer were included in the study.Upper endoscopy was performed and HPC or APC were chosen randomly to stop the bleeding.Initial hemostasis and rebleeding rates were primary and secondary end-points of the study.RESULTS:Initial hemostasis was achieved in 97.7% (42/43) and 81% (36/42) of the APC and HPC groups,respectively (P < 0.05).Rebleeding rates were 2.4% (1/42) and 8.3% (3/36) in the APC and HPC groups,respectively,at 4 wk (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION:APC is an effective hemostatic method in bleeding peptic ulcers.Larger multicenter trials are necessary to confirm these results.

Atractylenolide Ⅰ protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation by anti-inflammatory and anticoagulation effect

Objective:To investigate whether atractylenolide Ⅰ(ATL-Ⅰ) has protective effect on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) in vivo and in vitro,and explore whether NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in ATL-Ⅰ treatment.Methods:New Zealand white rabbits were injected with LPS through marginal ear vein over a period of 6h at a rate of 600 μg/kg(10 mL/h).Similarly,in the treatment groups,1.0,2.0,or 5.0 mg/kg ATL-Ⅰ were given.Both survival rate and organ function were tested,including the level of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),blood urine nitrogen(BUN),and TNF-α were examined by ELISA.Also haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters in serum were measured.RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were administered with control,LPS,LPS + ATL-Ⅰ and ATL-Ⅰ alone,and TNF-α,phosphorylation(P)-IκBα,phosphorylation(P)-NF-κB(P65) and NF-κB(P65) were determined by Western blot.Results:The administration of LPS resulted in 73.3%mortality rate,and the increase of serum TNF-α,BUN and ALT levels.When ATL-Ⅰ treatment significantly increased the survival rate of LPS-induced DIC model,also improved the function of blood coagulation.And protein analysis indicated that ATL-Ⅰ remarkably protected liver and renal as decreasing TNF-α expression.In vitro,ATL-Ⅰ obviously decreased LPS-induced TNF-αproduction and the expression of P-NF-κB(P65),with the decrease of P-IκBα.Conclusions:ATL-Ⅰ has protective effect on LPS-induced DIC,which can elevate the survival rate,reduce organ damage,improve the function of blood coagulation and suppress TNF-α expression by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Coagulation abnormalities and their relationship with bleeding manifestations in patients with dengue-A single center observational study

Objective:To evaluate coagulation abnormalities and their relationship with bleeding manifestations among patients with dengue.Methods:This observational study was conducted on 292 adult dengue patients who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital of Western India from July 2021 to June 2022.Coagulation tests including prothrombin time(PT),international normalized ratio(INR),activated partial thromboplastin time(aPTT),fibrinogen,and D-dimer were performed.Patients were monitored for bleeding manifestations.Results:Coagulation abnormalities were reported in 42.8%of the patients.Overall,prolonged aPTT was the most common coagulation abnormality(40.8%),followed by low fibrinogen(38.7%),raised D-dimer(31.2%),raised INR(26.0%)and prolonged PT(19.2%).Bleeding manifestations were present in 19.9%patients.PT,INR,aPTT and D-dimer levels were significantly higher(P<0.01)and fibrinogen level was significantly lower(P<0.001)in patients with bleeding compared to patients without bleeding.Patients with bleeding had a significantly higher rate of all coagulation abnormalities than patients without bleeding(P<0.01).Conclusions:Patients with bleeding showed a significantly higher frequency of coagulation abnormalities compared to patients without bleeding.Patients with dengue should be assessed for coagulation abnormalities.

Binding of EGF1 Domain Peptide in Coagulation Factor Ⅶ with Tissue Factor and Its Implications for the Triggering of Coagulation

The binding function of EGF1 domain peptide with tissue factor(TF)and its ability of triggering coagulation were explored.The TF expression model in vitro was established by lipopolysaccha-ride induction.The affinity of EGFP-EGF1 and TF expressing cells was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry(FCM).The affinity of EGFP-EGF1 and rat soluble TF was quantitated by surface plasmon resonance(SPR).The ability of EGFP-EGF1 in triggering coagulation was tested by prothrombin time assay.The FCM res...

Considerations for routine coagulation monitoring with rivaroxaban:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Rivaroxaban is a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant that does not require coagulation monitoring based on current recommendations. Our goal is to explore whether routine coagulation monitoring should not be required for all patients receiving oral rivaroxaban, what relationship between routine coagulation abnormalities and bleeding, and how to deal with the above clinical situations through our case and review of the literature.CASE SUMMARY We report a 67-year-old woman with a history of atrial fibrillation who presented to the hospital with worsening dyspnea and cough. Based on electrocardiogram,venous compression ultrasonography, and computed tomography pulmonary angiography, the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis, and acute pulmonary embolism was confirmed. Her coagulation assays and renal function were normal on admission; she was not underweight, did not have a history of hemorrhagic disease, and her CHA2 DS2-VAS, HAS-BLED, and simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index scores were 3, 0, and 0,respectively. Oral rivaroxaban(15 mg twice daily) was administered. The following day, she presented gastrointestinal and gum bleeding, combined with coagulation abnormalities. Following cessation of rivaroxaban, her bleeding stopped and tests improved over the next 2 d. Rivaroxaban was begun again 3 d after recovery. However, she again presented with gastrointestinal and gum bleeding and the abnormal tests, and the therapy was discontinued. At 30-d follow-up after discharge, she presented normal coagulation tests without bleeding.CONCLUSION Although current guidelines recommend that using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants including rivaroxaban do not require coagulation monitoring,a small number of patients may develop routine coagulation test changes and bleeding during rivaroxaban therapy, especially in the elderly. Clinicians should pay attention to these patients and further obtain evidence in practice.

Acquired coagulation dysfunction resulting from vitamin Kdependent coagulation factor deficiency associated with rheumatoid arthritis: A case report

BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with the main clinical feature of progressive joint synovial inflammation,which can lead to joint deformities as well as disability.RA often causes damage to multiple organs and systems within the body,including the blood hemostasis system.Few reports have focused on acquired coagulation dysfunction resulting from vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency associated with RA.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old woman with a history of RA presented to our hospital,complaining of painless gross hematuria for 2 wk.Blood coagulation function tests showed increased prothrombin time,international normalized ratio,and activated partial thromboplastin time.Abnormal blood coagulation factor(F)activity was detected(FII,7.0%;FV,122.0%;and FX,6.0%),indicating vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency.Thromboelastography and an activated partial thromboplastin time mixed correction experiment also suggested decreased coagulation factor activity.Clinically,the patient was initially diagnosed with hematuria,RA,and vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency.The patient received daily intravenous administration of vitamin K120 mg,etamsylate 3 g,and vitamin C 3000 mg for 10 d.Concurrently,oral leflunomide tablets and prednisone were administered for treatment of RA.After the treatment,the patient's symptoms improved markedly and she was discharged on day 12.There were no hemorrhagic events during 18 mo of follow-up.CONCLUSION RA can result in vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency,which leads to acquired coagulation dysfunction.Vitamin K1 supplementation has an obvious effect on coagulation dysfunction under these circumstances.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation scores as predictors for progressive hemorrhage and neurological prognosis following traumatic brain injury

Coagulation abnormalities, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation （DIC）, are associated with progressive hemcrrhagic injury （PHI） following head trauma. However, the exact relationship between coagulopathy and PHI remains unclear. The present study utilized a scoring system defined by the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis to investigate whether a high DIC score is predictive for PHI. This study was a multicenter prospective design involving four hospitals, a 6-month observation, and follow-up. Of 352 traumatic brain injury （TBI） patients, serial CT scan indicated approximately one third of patients developed progressive hemorrhage, which was most frequently observed in the frontal, temporal, and orbitofrontal lobes of patients with brain contusion. PHI-positive patients exhibited poor prognosis, as indicated by prolonged length of hospital/intensive care unit stay and high mortality. More importantly, a DIC score after TBI, as well as patient age and sex, could serve as predictors for PHI. In addition, DIC scores were closely associated with injury severity. Therefore, the DIC scoring system facilitated early PHI diagnosis in TBI patients, and DIC scores might serve as a valuable predictor for TBI patients with PHI.

FLOCCULATION/COAGULATION OF NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER FOR PRETREATMENT OF WATER ANDWASTE WATER

Characterization of water, waste water and natural organic matter are involved in this paper, and as well as the features of flocculation and coagulation for removing natural organic matter from water and waste water Novel flocculant and coagualant is strongly asked for improving removal efficiency and environment friendly. Enhanced coagulation is introduced to meet the experimental and practical requirement.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and intestinal obstruction: A case report

BACKGROUND Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a rare vascular malformation syndrome with unclear etiopathogenesis and noncurative treatments.It is characterized by multiple vascular malformations of the skin,gastrointestinal tract,and other visceral organs.The most common symptoms are intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding and secondary iron deficiency anemia,thus requiring repeated blood transfusions and hospitalizations.It is easily missed and misdiagnosed,and there is no specific treatment.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome combined with disseminated intravascular coagulation and efficacy of treatment with argon plasma coagulation under enteroscopy and sirolimus.A 56-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with 3-year history of fatigue and dizziness that had aggravated over the past 10 d with melena.The patient had a history of repeated melena and multiple venous hemangiomas from childhood.After treatment with argon plasma coagulation combined with sirolimus for nearly 8 wk,the patient’s serum hemoglobin increased to 100 g/L.At the 12-mo follow-up,the patient was well with stable hemoglobin(102 g/L)and no recurrent intestinal bleeding.CONCLUSION Argon plasma coagulation and sirolimus may be an efficacious and safe treatment for blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome,which currently has no recommended treatments.

Non-Gravitational Effects with Density-Matching in Evaluating the Influence of Sedimentation on Colloidal Coagulation

The method of density matching between the solid and liquid phases is often adopted to effectively eliminate the effect of sedimentation of suspensions in studies on dynamic behaviour of a colloidal system. However, the associated changes in the solvent composition may bring side effects to the properties investigated and therefore might lead to a faulty conclusion if the relevant correction is not made. To illustrate the importance of this side effect, we present an example of the sedimentation influence on the coagulation rate of suspensions of 2μm （diameter） polystyrene. The liquid mixtures, in the proper proportions of water （H2O）, deuterium oxide （D2O） and methanol （MeOH） as the liquid phase, density-matched and unmatched experiments are performed. Besides the influence of viscosity, the presence of methanol in solvent media, used to enhance the sedimentation effect, causes significant changes （reduction） in rapid coagulation rates compared to that in pure water. Without the relevant corrections for those non-gravitational factors it seems that gravitational sedimentation would retard the coagulation. The magnitude of the contribution from the non-gravitational factor is quantitatively determined, making the relevant correction possible. After necessary the influence of the sedimentation on coagulation rates at corrections for all factors, our experiments show that the initial stage of the coagulation is not observable.

The Effects of Lower Intensity Anticoagulation Therapy on Coagulation System in Patients With Mechanical Prosthetic Valves

Summary: To evaluate the effect of lower intensity anticoagulation therapy in patients with mechanical prosthetic valves, laboratory based hematological assays including prothrombin time (PT), activity of factor X, antithrombin Ⅲ (AT Ⅲ), D dimer, fibrinogen (Fg) and platel et al pha granular membrane protein (GMP 140) were performed in 65 patients who had been on warfarin treatment for over one month. The patients were assigned to 3 groups on the basis of their International Normalized Ratios (INR), ranging from 2.00 to 2.50; 2.51 to 3.00; 3.01 to 4.50, respectively. The results showed that the D dimer, Fg, GMP 140 levels were higher after mechanical valve replacement than those before operation, indicating the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis system and the damage of platelets. Lower intensity anticoagulation therapy (INR 2 00 to 2.50) could effectively inhibit the activity of factor X and increase the level of AT Ⅲ. There were no appreciable differences among D dimer, Fg, GMP 140 and AT Ⅲ in the 3 anticoagulation intensity groups. These results suggest that in patients with new generation mechanical prosthetic valves, target anticoagulation level (INR 2 00 to 2.50) may result in good protection from thrombo embolism.

Current approach to disseminated intravascular coagulation related to sepsis-organ failure type

Disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) is a syndrome characterized by the systemic activation of blood clotting, which generates large amount of intravascular thrombin and fibrin. Various diseases may cause acceleration of the clotting cascade, inactivate the endogenous anticoagulants and modify fibrinolysis, having thus the formation of micro thrombi in the systemic circulation. The abnormalities in the hemostatic system in patients with DIC result from the sum of pathways that generate both hypercoagulability and augmented fibrinolysis. When the hypercoagulability state prevails, the main manifestation is organic failure. This subtype of DIC is often referred as "organ impairment" type, frequently seen in patients suffering from severe sepsis. To identify the underlying infection, early initiation of culture-based antimicrobial treatment, and to resolve any infection source promptly are keystone actions of DIC related to sepsis prevention and treatment. These should be combined with specific treatment related to each DIC subtype. In the context of septic shock, DIC is associated to increased severity, greater number and seriousness of organ failures, more frequent side-effects from treatment itself, and worse outcomes. Therefore, we ought to review the information available in the literature about approach and management of DIC in severe sepsis.