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Coagulation abnormalities in critically ill patients

Marcel Levi1* and Steven M Opal2

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Vascular Medicine and Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2 Infectious Disease Division, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

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Critical Care 2006, 10:222 doi:10.1186/cc4975

Published: 19 July 2006

Abstract

Many critically ill patients develop hemostatic abnormalities, ranging from isolated thrombocytopenia or prolonged global clotting tests to complex defects, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. There are many causes for a deranged coagulation in critically ill patients and each of these underlying disorders may require specific therapeutic or supportive management. In recent years, new insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of many coagulation defects in critically ill patients have been accumulated and this knowledge is helpful in determining the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategy.