Coagulation problems in liver disease

Three topics are addressed in this manuscript: (1) the causes of abnormal h emostasis in cirrhosis; (2) the evaluation of hemostasis in cirrhotic patie nts before invasive procedures or in the presence of bleeding; and (3) the assessment of the effect of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoS even(R), Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) on hemostatic function in ci rrhotic patients. Laboratory experiments are described that could enhance t he understanding of the effect of rFVIIa on blood coagulation during hemost asis in cirrhotic patients. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 11 (suppl 1):S69-S74 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.