BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by a systemic activation of coagulation leading to the intravascular deposition of fibrin and the simultaneous consumption of coagulation factors and platelets. Inflammatory cytokines can activate the coagulation system. This study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the plasma level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) for predicting DIC. METHODS: The study populations were 15 healthy controls and 81 patients who were clinically suspected of having DIC and were requested to perform DIC battery tests. The presence of overt DIC was defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Subcommittee cumulative score of 5 or above. The 28 day mortality was used to assess the prognostic outcome. The plasma levels of the cytokines were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in patients (N=81) were higher than those of control (N=15). IL-6 and IL-10 levels of overt DIC group (N=31) were 3 times and 1.5 times higher than those, respectively, of non-overt DIC group (N=50). In infection group (N=48), IL-6 and IL-10 levels of overt DIC group (N=18) were 5 times and 3 times higher than those, respectively, of non-overt DIC group (N=30). The diagnostic efficiency of IL-6 (optimal cut off >40.4 pg/mL) and IL-10 (>9.7 pg/mL) for the diagnosis of overt DIC were 67% and 69%, respectively, which were similar to that of D-dimer. Plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were also higher in non-survivors than in survivors. The patients with higher levels of IL-6 and IL-10 showed a poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 were useful for the diagnosis of overt DIC and the prediction of its prognosis. These results also showed the evidence of a close interaction between coagulation and inflammation.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/blood/*diagnosis/mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Infection/blood ; Interleukin-10/*blood ; Interleukin-6/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Analysis

PURPOSE: We evaluated the diagnostic implications and therapeutic efficacy of antithrombin III(AT III) in the disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) of premature infants. METHODS: Ninety-two premature infants diagnosed with DIC and treated with AT III from March, 2000 to May, 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical manifestations, complete blood counts, coagulation tests, and AT III levels were compared between the two groups:definite DIC if clinical signs of DIC and AT III <70% with more than two abnormal laboratory parameters were present, and suspected DIC if not more than two abnormal laboratory parameters were present. RESULTS: AT III was given for an average of 3.2 days and no side effects related to the treatment were reported. The AT III levels increased significantly more than four fold with treatment in both groups. The clinical signs and laboratory values improved significantly after treatment. CONCLUSION: AT III level is a sensitive parameter in the diagnosis of DIC in premature infants, and it is useful as a treatment modality since it improves the clinical symptoms and the laboratory parameters without significant side effects.
Antithrombin III* ; Blood Cell Count ; Dacarbazine ; Diagnosis* ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Retrospective Studies

Systemically sustained thrombin generation in vivo is the hallmark of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Typically, this is in response to a progressing disease state that is associated with significant cellular injury. The etiology could be infectious or noninfectious, with the main pathophysiological mechanisms involving cross-activation among coagulation, innate immunity, and inflammatory responses. This leads to consumption of both pro- and anticoagulant factors as well as endothelial dysfunction and disrupted homeostasis at the blood vessel wall interface. In addition to the release of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) following cellular activation and damage, respectively, there is the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as extracellular histones and cell-free DNA. Extracellular histones are increasingly recognized as significantly pathogenic in critical illnesses through direct cell toxicity, the promotion of thrombin generation, and the induction of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. Clinically, high circulating levels of histones and histone–DNA complexes are associated with multiorgan failure, DIC, and adverse patient outcomes. Their measurements as well as that of other DAMPs and molecular markers of thrombin generation are not yet applicable in the routine diagnostic laboratory. To provide a practical diagnostic tool for acute DIC, a composite scoring system using rapidly available coagulation tests is recommended by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Its usefulness and limitations are discussed alongside the advances and unanswered questions in DIC pathogenesis.
Blood Platelets/cytology/pathology ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/*diagnosis/pathology ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Laboratories, Hospital ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombelastography

Ammiotic fluid embolism(AFE) is an often-devastating condition of pregnancy with high mortality. The diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism is generally made postmortem and rests upon the morphological demonstration of amniotic fluid debris including fetal epithelial squames and hair in the pulmonary vasculature. We have made the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism by detection of amniotic fluid debris in cervical blood vessels ension with profuse postpartum hemorrhage and evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation, cervical laceration after uneventful delivery. Amniotic fluid debris were only demonstrated in the blood vessels of cervical laceration site. We present a case of amniotic fluid embolism which was diagnosed at postpartum hysterectomy specimen via thorough histological examination.
Amniotic Fluid ; Blood Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Embolism* ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid ; Female ; Hair ; Hysterectomy ; Lacerations ; Mortality ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of thrombelastography (TEM) in the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in children.

METHODThe data of 117 children suffering from DIC in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and Cardiologic ICU (CICU) in the authors' hospital from January 2010 to June 2012 were collected. Ninety-four children without DIC were enrolled into the control group. The platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimers and TEM were determined. The sensitivity and specificity of TEM were measured and the relevance of TEM and DIC was investigated to evaluate the effect of TEM and the conventional tests of the coagulation system in the diagnosis of DIC in children.

RESULTThe average R reaction time in the DIC group was significantly longer than that in the control group[(13.3 ± 3.3)s vs. (4.5 ± 2.6)s, P = 0.000 5], and the average α-angle in the DIC group was smaller than that in the control group significantly (37.2° ± 1.4° vs. 55.6° ± 3.8°, P = 0.001 0). There was significant decrease in the maximal amplitude (MA) and amplitude (A) in the DIC group, compared with the control group. The OR value (95%CI) of the R reaction time,α-angle and MA was 3.538 (1.298-5.389), 2.472 (1.820-2.224) and 0.256 (0.263-0.831) respectively, which suggests good correlation with the existence of DIC (all P < 0.01). The specificity of R reaction time, α-angle and MA was higher than that of PT, APTT and D-dimers (85.7%, 73.5% and 72.9% vs. 27.0%, 42.1% and 68.2%) . The average R reaction time of children suffering from hemorrhage of severe liver disease(n = 36) was significantly longer than that of 40 healthy children [(9.2 ± 2.7) vs. (2.3 ± 1.8)s, P = 0.001 0], while the α-angle (42.8° ± 7.6° vs. 59.2° ± 10.8°, P = 0.040 0) and the MA value [(33.9 ± 5.1) vs.(56.0 ± 8.1) mm, P = 0.020 0] were significantly smaller. The average R reaction time of children suffering from congenital coagulopathy was significantly longer than that of healthy children [(6.8 ± 3.1) vs. (2.3 ± 1.8)s, P = 0.003 0], too.

CONCLUSIONTEM, which has high specificity, is beneficial to the diagnosis of DIC in children.

Blood Coagulation ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; blood ; diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thrombelastography

Homozygous protein C deficiency is a rare hereditary coagulation disorder that occurs most often in childhood and is characterized by widespread thrombosis of capillaries and venules, abrupt onset of ecchymoses and necrosis. The hematological feature corresponds with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Protein C is a natural anticoagulant and also has important anti-inflammatory activity. For confirmation of homozygous protein C deficiency, the infant should have undetectable protein C activity and both parents should be heterozygous for protein C deficiency. We experienced a case of purpura fulminans in the newborn infant in whom we identifed homozygosity for familial protein C deficiency. Fresh frozen plasma for replacement of protein C, early debridement and full-thickness skin graft induced a remission. Administration of warfarin was used to prevent recurrence of attacks. This report emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and adequate replacement therapy in patient with purpura fulminans.
Blood Coagulation Disorders, Inherited ; Capillaries ; Debridement ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Early Diagnosis ; Ecchymosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Necrosis ; Parents ; Plasma ; Protein C Deficiency* ; Protein C* ; Purpura Fulminans* ; Purpura* ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Thrombosis ; Transplants ; Venules ; Warfarin

BACKGROUND: Fibrin-related markers (FRM) such as fibrin monomer (FM) and D-dimer (DD) are considered useful biological markers for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). However, no studies on the diagnostic performance of different FRMs have been published in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of FM for DIC in comparison with DD. METHODS: The reference limit of FM was determined based on plasma sample data obtained from 210 control individuals. To evaluate diagnostic performance, FM data from the plasma samples of 139 patients with DIC-associated diseases were obtained for DIC scoring. FM was measured by immunoturbidimetry using STA-LIATEST FM (Diagnostica Stago, France). Patients were classified according to the DIC score as non-DIC, non-overt DIC, or overt DIC. ROC curve analyses were performed. RESULTS: The reference limit in the control individuals was determined to be 7.80 microg/mL. Patients with DIC-associated diseases were categorized as non-DIC (N=43), non-overt DIC (N=80), and overt DIC (N=16). ROC curve analyses showed that the diagnostic performance of FM was comparable to DD in both non-overt DIC and overt DIC (P=0.596 and 0.553, respectively). In addition, FM had higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value than DD for differentiating overt DIC from non-DIC. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the diagnostic performance of FM for DIC was comparable to DD. FM might be more sensitive and more specific than DD in the diagnosis of overt DIC, but not non-overt DIC.
Area Under Curve ; Biological Markers/blood ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/blood/*diagnosis ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/*analysis/immunology/standards ; Humans ; Immunoassay/*methods/standards ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry/*methods/standards ; ROC Curve ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: Fibrin-related markers (FRM) such as fibrin monomer (FM) and D-dimer (DD) are considered useful biological markers for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). However, no studies on the diagnostic performance of different FRMs have been published in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of FM for DIC in comparison with DD. METHODS: The reference limit of FM was determined based on plasma sample data obtained from 210 control individuals. To evaluate diagnostic performance, FM data from the plasma samples of 139 patients with DIC-associated diseases were obtained for DIC scoring. FM was measured by immunoturbidimetry using STA-LIATEST FM (Diagnostica Stago, France). Patients were classified according to the DIC score as non-DIC, non-overt DIC, or overt DIC. ROC curve analyses were performed. RESULTS: The reference limit in the control individuals was determined to be 7.80 microg/mL. Patients with DIC-associated diseases were categorized as non-DIC (N=43), non-overt DIC (N=80), and overt DIC (N=16). ROC curve analyses showed that the diagnostic performance of FM was comparable to DD in both non-overt DIC and overt DIC (P=0.596 and 0.553, respectively). In addition, FM had higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value than DD for differentiating overt DIC from non-DIC. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the diagnostic performance of FM for DIC was comparable to DD. FM might be more sensitive and more specific than DD in the diagnosis of overt DIC, but not non-overt DIC.
Area Under Curve ; Biological Markers/blood ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/blood/*diagnosis ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/*analysis/immunology/standards ; Humans ; Immunoassay/*methods/standards ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry/*methods/standards ; ROC Curve ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: It is known that severe infection and inflammation lead to hemostatic abnormalities. Recently, much attention is focused on the mechanisms of infection or inflammation and on how it plays a central role in effecting the coagulation system. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in particular, is a common phenomenon in patients with sepsis, but the clinical implications of this condition are not clear. Therefore we attempted to evaluate the changes of the coagulation system in patients with sepsis and studied the factors that lead to such changes. METHODS: One hundred one patients diagnosed with sepsis were enrolled in this study. The patients were clinically evaluated for underlying disease and data for inflammatory status and coagulative changes were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The WBC count increased in 76% and decreased in 6% of sepsis patients in comparison to the reference interval. The platelet count decreased in 65.3%. Changes in coagulative tests such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin III, and D-dimer were observed in 70.4%, 52.7%, 87.2% and 100% of the patients, respectively. Correlation between ESR and fibrinogen was the highest in relation to the other coagulation factors. CRP also showed the highest correlation with fibrinogen in contrast to the other coagulation factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the clear activation of coagulation in patients with sepsis. Of the evaluated factors involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis, fibrinogen showed the highest correlation to indices representing the inflammatory state. However further studies on the anticoagulant pathway are necessary in elucidating this matter.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections/diagnosis ; Biological Markers/analysis ; *Blood Coagulation ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/*diagnosis/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis/*blood/complications/diagnosis ; Statistics as Topic

The authors report a case of acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from menstruation-related disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in an adenomyosis patient. A 40-yr-old woman who had received gonadotropin for ovulation induction therapy presented with anuria and an elevated serum creatinine level. Her medical history showed primary infertility with diffuse adenomyosis. On admission, her pregnancy test was negative and her menstrual cycle had started 1 day previously. Laboratory data were consistent with DIC, and it was believed to be related to myometrial injury resulting from heavy intramyometrial menstrual flow. Gonadotropin is considered to play an important role in the development of fulminant DIC. This rare case suggests that physicians should be aware that gonadotropin may provoke fulminant DIC in women with adenomyosis.
Acute Kidney Injury/*diagnosis/etiology ; Adult ; Creatinine/blood ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/*chemically induced/complications ; Endometriosis/*complications/diagnosis/surgery ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropins/*adverse effects ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Menstruation/*physiology ; Uterus/pathology/surgery