DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION - CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ASPECTS

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex acquired coa gulopathy resulting from excessive thrombin formation. Abnormal tissue factor (TF) expression is a major mechanism initiating DIC in many di sorders, including obstetrical complications, sepsis, cancer, and trau ma. Numerous laboratory tests are available to monitor DIG, but most p atients are adequately managed using only routine hemostasis screening tests, and assays for fibrinogen and D-dimer, Treatment of DIC should focus on reversing the underlying disorder initiating the coagulopath y. Novel treatments are being investigated for treating DIG; many of t hese experimental modalities target the excessive if activity that cha racterizes DIG. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.