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Disseminated intravascular coagulation: a review for the internist

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Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by systemic intravascular activation of coagulation, leading to widespread deposition of fibrin in the circulation. Recent knowledge on important pathogenetic mechanisms that may lead to DIC has resulted in novel preventive and therapeutic approaches to patients with DIC. The diagnosis of DIC can be made by sensitive laboratory tests; however, most of these tests are not readily available in a clinical setting. A reliable diagnosis can also be made on the basis of a small series of laboratory tests that can be combined in a scoring algorithm. The cornerstone of the management of DIC is the specific and vigorous treatment of the underlying disorder. Strategies aimed at the inhibition of coagulation activation may theoretically be justified and have been found beneficial in experimental and clinical studies. These strategies comprise inhibition of tissue factor-mediated activation of coagulation or restoration of physiological anticoagulant pathways.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marcel Levi & Tom van der Poll

  2. Center of Experimental Molecular Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Tom van der Poll

  3. Center of Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Tom van der Poll

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  1. Marcel Levi
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  2. Tom van der Poll
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Correspondence to Marcel Levi.

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Levi, M., van der Poll, T. Disseminated intravascular coagulation: a review for the internist. Intern Emerg Med 8, 23–32 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-012-0859-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-012-0859-9

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