Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Objective criteria for diagnosis and management

Effect of experimentally induced endotoxaemia and meloxicam administration on the haemostatic system in donkeys

BACKGROUND

Endotoxaemia is a common condition in equids, frequently accompanied by alterations in haemostasis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as meloxicam, have been proven to alleviate some signs of endotoxaemia in donkeys. Neither the haemostatic response to induced endotoxaemia nor the effect of meloxicam in this regard have been described in donkeys.

OBJECTIVES

(a) To characterise the haemostatic changes in response to induced endotoxaemia in healthy donkeys, and (b) to assess the effect of meloxicam in these animals.

STUDY DESIGN

In vivo experiments.

METHODS

Endotoxaemia was induced by LPS (20 ng/kg) infusion in six healthy adult Andalusian donkeys. All animals randomly received either an IV bolus of saline solution (untreated group) or meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg) after LPS infusion (PLI), with a 1-month washout period between trials. Samples were collected at -30, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 360 min PLI for clotting times, antithrombin III, anti-Xa activities, platelet and fibrinogen concentrations; and at -30, 90, 180 and 360 min PLI for viscoelastography (Sonoclot).

RESULTS

LPS caused prothrombotic-specific viscoelastographic changes (short activated clot time and elongated clot rate formation) and lower antithrombin III activities compared with reference range for this species. Prolonged prothrombin times were also seen at late timepoints in the experiment. Meloxicam administration resulted in no significant differences between groups.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Short sampling duration, only Andalusian donkeys.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute endotoxaemia induced hypercoagulability and initial signs of a consumptive coagulopathy in donkeys. Despite a more prolonged increase in anti-Xa activity, meloxicam did not ameliorate most of these haemostatic changes.

Schistocytic hemolytic anemia owing to central venous catheter in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A 4-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was inserted a central venous catheter into right vena jugularis interna, whereas on BFM-ALL (Protocol 1) therapy. He developed progressive anemia, thrombocytopenia, schistocytes with triangular or crescent shapes, microspherocytes and teardrop cells in the peripheric blood smear, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased haptoglobin. Schistocytic hemolytic anemia was considered. On chest radiogram, the central venous catheter (CVC) tip was seen beneath the expected location. An echocardiography revealed that CVC was within the right atrium, in contact with tricuspite leaflets. So, CVC was overhauled and a new one was inserted. After the revision, hemolysis ceased; haptoglobin level normalized.

Prognosticating equine colic

Prognosticating survival in horses with colic is challenging because of the number of diseases and pathophysiologic processes that can cause the behavior. Although the treatment of horses with colic has improved dramatically over the years, case fatality can still be high because of the delay in recognizing the problem, the time delay inherent in receiving veterinary care, and the lack of effective treatment for the more severe diseases. Intensive case management and surgery for these horses may be expensive and emotionally draining for owners; therefore, providing an accurate prognosis is key to decisions needed for case management. This article is dedicated to recent advances in applying a prognosis for survival in horses at higher risk for a fatal outcome.

Severe disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by congestive heart failure and left ventricular thrombus

We present a patient who visited emergency department owing to the skin manifestation of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Recent anterior myocardial infarction induced congestive heart failure and left ventricular thrombus, which were considered to be the cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Anticoagulant therapy with heparin and warfarin was used successfully to treat the disseminated intravascular coagulation and left ventricular thrombus.

The evaluation of coagulation profiles in calves with suspected septic shock

The purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate the haemostatic function in calves with suspected septic shock and to reflect the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Twenty-six calves suspected of having septic shock (experimental group) and 10 clinically healthy calves (control group) were used. On admission, the experimental group of calves had been ill for an average of 2 days. Therapy was applied to the experimental group of calves. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were determined. Blood smears for toxic neutrophil and schistocyte intensity were evaluated. For the coagulation profile, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) values were determined. Toxic neutrophils in blood smears were observed in 12 calves of the experimental group. APTT was prolonged in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Fibrinogen concentration was found to be higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Total leukocyte counts were higher in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Platelet counts in the experimental group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001). However, when the individual values of coagulation profiles of each calf were evaluated, 8 calves had at least three abnormal coagulation profiles (APTT >72 s, PT >34.5 s, TT >33.7 s, FDPs >5 microg/ml, PLT < or = 150 x 10(3)/mm(3)) and abnormal erythrocyte morphology (schistocytes > or = 1). The most common abnormal tests in the coagulation profile were APTT and PT (7 cases), FDPs (6 cases), thrombocytopenia (4 cases), and schistocytes in blood smears (8 cases) in these 8 calves. The results of this study indicate that DIC might be a significant risk factor for mortality in calves with suspected septic shock.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in pediatric patients: clinical and laboratory features and prognostic factors influencing the survival

Although disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has been a well-known disorder for many years, there is lack of sufficient number of clinical trials about incidence, frequency of underlying disorders, and prognosis of DIC in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, etiologic factors, and clinical and laboratory findings of DIC and to determine the prognostic factors influencing the mortality in hospitalized pediatric patients. Medical records of 5535 children who were hospitalized were investigated. Sixty-two patients who were diagnosed as acute DIC were enrolled. The frequency of DIC was 1.12%. The underlying etiologic factors were infection in 59 patients (95.2%) and major trauma in 3 patients (4.8%). The frequency of bleeding and thrombosis was 48.8 and 4.8%. Respiratory, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, neurologic, and gastrointestinal dysfunction was present in 71, 67.7, 35.5, 16.1, 16.1 and 11.3% of patients, respectively. Respiratory and cardiovascular dysfunctions were significantly associated with mortality. Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) was present in 85.5% of the patients, and 54.8% of the patients had developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mortality rate was significantly high in patients with MODS and ARDS. In multivariete logistic regression analysis, only ARDS and cardiovascular dysfunction had predictive and prognostic value on mortality. None of the diagnostic laboratory tests had predictive or prognostic value and the degree of abnormality of these tests did not show any correlation with mortality. In conclusion, DIC is not a rare disorder in hospitalized children, especially in patients with sepsis, and MODS, ARDS, and respiratory and cardiovascular system dysfunctions are poor prognostic factors.

Effect of a Single Plasma Transfusion on Thromboembolism in 13 Dogs With Primary Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Thirteen dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia received fresh-frozen plasma within 12 hours of admission, in addition to unfractionated heparin and other therapies, such as prednisone, azathioprine, and packed red blood cell transfusion. Antithrombin activity was quantified prior to transfusion and at 30 minutes and 48 hours after transfusion. Plasma antithrombin activity did not change significantly after a single plasma transfusion. There were no deaths in the first 48 hours of treatment. Thromboembolism was identified at necropsy in six of 10 dogs that died within 12 months of admission. There was no significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolism between the current treatment group and a historical control group.

Coagulopathy in the equine critical care patient

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a clinicopathologic syndrome resulting from a multitude of underlying causes that manifests itself clinically as hemostatic/fibrinolytic failure. There is much debate on the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of DIC, a situation that is most likely the result of the multifaceted clinical presentation of the syndrome and the fact that patient outcome is often influenced by the underlying disease process. The fact that DIC increases morbidity and mortality in critical care patients is well established, but the exact mechanism of what specifically occurs on a microvascular level is still often argued.

d-Dimer as marker for microcirculatory failure: correlation with LOD and APACHE II scores

The relevance of plasma d-dimer levels as marker for morbidity and organ dysfunction in severely ill patients is largely unknown. In a prospective study we determined d-dimer plasma levels of 800 unselected patients at admission to our intensive care unit. In 91% of the patients' samples d-dimer levels were elevated, in some patients up to several hundredfold as compared to normal values. The highest mean d-dimer values were present in the patient group with thromboembolic diseases, and particularly in non-survivors of pulmonary embolism. In patients with circulatory impairment (r=0.794) and in patients with infections (r=0.487) a statistically significant correlation was present between d-dimer levels and the APACHE II score (P<0.001). The logistic organ dysfunction score (LOD, P<0.001) correlated with d-dimer levels only in patients with circulatory impairment (r=0.474). On the contrary, patients without circulatory impairment demonstrated no correlation of d-dimer levels to the APACHE II or LOD score. Taking all patients together, no correlations of d-dimer levels with single organ failure or with indicators of infection could be detected. In conclusion, d-dimer plasma levels strongly correlated with the severity of the disease and organ dysfunction in patients with circulatory impairment or infections suggesting that elevated d-dimer levels may reflect the extent of microcirculatory failure. Thus, a therapeutic strategy to improve the microcirculation in such patients may be monitored using d-dimer plasma levels.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation current concepts of etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

The pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical and laboratory manifestations of DIC are complex, partly because of inter-relationships within the hemostasis system. Only by clearly understanding these extraordinarily complex pathophysiologic inter-relationships can the clinician and laboratory scientist appreciate the divergent and wide spectrum of often-confusing clinical and laboratory findings in patients with DIC. Many therapeutic decisions to be made are controversial and lack validation. Nevertheless, newer antithrombotic agents and agents that can block, blunt, or modify cytokine activity and the activity of vasoactive substances seem to be of value. The complexity and variable degree of clinical expression suggest that therapy should be individualized depending on the nature of DIC, the patient's age, etiology of DIC, site and severity of hemorrhage or thrombosis, and hemodynamics and other appropriate clinical parameters.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation: a review of etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management: guidelines for care

The pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical, and laboratory manifestations of DIC are complex in part due to interrelationships within the hemostasis system. Only by clearly understanding these extraordinarily complex pathophysiologic interrelationships can the clinician and laboratory scientist appreciate the divergent and wide spectrum of often confusing clinical and laboratory findings in patients with DIC. Many therapeutic decisions to be made are controversial and lack validation. Nevertheless, newer antithrombotic agents, and agents that can block, blunt, or modify cytokine activity and the activity of vasoactive substances appear to be of value. The complexity and variable degree of clinical expression suggests that therapy should be individualized depending on the nature of DIC, age, etiology of DIC, site and severity of hemorrhage or thrombosis and hemodynamics and other appropriate clinical parameters. At present, treatment of the triggering event, low-dose heparin or antithrombin concentrate and wise choice of components when indicated appear to be the most effective modes of therapy.

Hemostatic and fibrinolytic status in patients with ovarian cancer and benign ovarian cysts: could D-dimer and antithrombin III levels be included as prognostic markers for survival outcome?

We determined the hemostatic and fibrinolytic status in 60 patients with ovarian cancer and benign ovarian cysts. Hypercoagulation, increased platelets, and enhanced fibrinolysis were seen in patients with preoperative ovarian cancer compared to patients with benign ovarian cysts. Enhanced thrombin generation, evidenced by increased F1+2 and decreased antithrombin III (ATIII) levels with further enhanced fibrinolysis by elevated D-dimer, was seen in advanced cancer. Ten ovarian cancer patients died within 13 months after diagnosis and another died at 24 months, all from advanced stage of cancer, except one from stage IC cancer who died at 11 months. The survival rates from the disease at 13 months and 24 months were 66.7% and 45%, respectively. Most of the patients had gone through the complete course of chemotherapy, and those patients still alive have been disease free between 13 and 42 months. No statistical relationships for the hemostatic parameters studied in ovarian cancer patients could be found between those who died and those still living 13 and 24 months after diagnosis, except for ATIII and D-dimer levels. Elevated D-dimer levels were associated with those who died within 13 and 24 months from the disease, and the decreased ATIII levels only reached statistical significance by 24 months. It could be suggested that these two parameters might be useful as systemic prognostic markers in survival outcome from the disease for the first 24 months in advanced ovarian cancer, in addition to the known correlation with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage.

Nutritional deficiencies and blunted erythropoietin response as causes of the anemia of critical illness

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article was to determine the prevalence of iron, vitamin B12, and folate deficiency and to evaluate the erythropoietin (EPO) response to anemia in a cohort of long-term intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients admitted to three academic medical center multidisciplinary ICUs were screened for eligibility into a randomized trial of EPO for the treatment of ICU anemia. On their second or third ICU day, patients enrolled in this trial had EPO levels drawn and were screened for iron, B12, and folate deficiency. Weekly EPO levels were obtained throughout patients' ICU stay.

RESULTS

A total of 184 patients were screened for iron, B12, and folate deficiency. Sixteen patients (9%) were iron deficient by study criteria, 4 (2%) were B12 deficient, and 4 (2%) were folate deficient. Mean hemoglobin and reticulocyte percents of the remaining 160 patients were 10.3 +/- 1.2 g/dL and 1.66 +/- 1.09%, respectively. In most patients, serum iron and total iron binding capacity levels were very low, whereas ferritin levels were very high. Mean and median day 2 EPO levels were 35.2 +/- 35.6 mIU/mL and 22.7 mIU/mL, respectively (normal = 4.2-27.8). Serial EPO levels in most persistently anemic patients remained within the normal range.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, screening for iron, B12, and folate deficiency identified potentially correctable abnormalities in more than 13% of patients and should be considered in those who are anticipated to have long ICU stays. Even at an early point of critical illness, most patients had iron studies consistent with anemia of chronic disease (ACD), as well as a blunted EPO response that may contribute to this ACD-like anemia of critical illness.

Syndromes of disseminated intravascular coagulation in obstetrics, pregnancy, and gynecology. Objective criteria for diagnosis and management

This article presents current understanding of the causes, pathophysiology, clinical, and laboratory diagnosis, and management of fulminant and low-grade DIC, as they apply to obstetric, pregnant, and gynecologic patients. General medical complications leading to DIC, which may often be seen in these patients, are also discussed. Considerable attention has been given to interrelationships within the hemostasis system. Only by clearly understanding these pathophysiologic interrelationships can the obstetrician/gynecologist appreciate the divergent and wide spectrum of often confusing clinical and laboratory findings in patients with DIC. Objective clinical and laboratory criteria for diagnosis of DIC have been outlined to eliminate unnecessary confusion and the need to make empiric decisions regarding the diagnosis. Particularly in the obstetric patient, if a condition is observed that is associated with DIC, or if any suspicion of DIC arises from either clinical or laboratory findings, it is imperative to monitor the patient carefully with clinical and laboratory tools to assess any progression to a catastrophic event. In most instances of DIC in obstetric patients, the disease can be ameliorated easily at early stages. Many therapeutic decisions are straightforward, particularly in obstetric and gynecologic patients. For more serious and complicated cases of DIC in these patients, however, efficacy and choices of therapy will remain unclear until more information is published regarding response rates and survival patterns. Also, therapy must be highly individualized according to the nature of DIC, patient's age, origin of DIC, site and severity of hemorrhage or thrombosis, and hemodynamic and other clinical parameters. Finally, many syndromes that are often categorized as organ-specific disorders and are sometimes identified as independent disease entities, such as AFE syndrome, HELLP syndrome, adult shock lung syndrome, eclampsia, and many others, either share common pathophysiology with DIC or are simply a form of DIC. These entities represent the varied modes of clinical expression of DIC and illustrate the diverse clinical and anatomic manifestations of this syndrome.

D-dimer concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation

OBJECTIVE

To determine sensitivity and specificity of assays of D-dimer concentrations in dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and healthy dogs and to compare these results with those of serum and plasma fibrin-fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) assays.

ANIMALS

20 dogs with DIC and 30 healthy dogs.

PROCEDURE

Semi-quantitative and quantitative D-dimer concentrations were determined by use of latex-agglutination and immunoturbidometry, respectively. Fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products were measured by use of latex-agglutination. A reference range for the immunoturbidometric D-dimer concentration assay was established; sensitivity and specificity of the assay were determined at 2 cutoff concentrations (0.30 microg/ml and 0.39 microg/ml).

RESULTS

Reference range for the immunoturbidometric D-dimer concentration assay was 0.08 to 0.39 microg/ml; median concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with DIC than in healthy dogs. Latex-agglutination D-dimer and serum and plasma FDP assays had similar sensitivity (85 to 100%) and specificity (90 to 100%); the immunoturbidometric assay had lower specificity (77%) at the 0.30 microg/ml cutoff and lower sensitivity (65%) at the 0.39 microg/ml cutoff. Sensitivity or specificity of the latex-agglutination D-dimer assay was not significantly improved when interpreted in series or parallel with FDP assays.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Measurement of D-dimer concentrations by latex-agglutination appears to be a sensitive and specific ancillary test for DIC in dogs. Specificity of D-dimer concentrations in dogs with systemic disease other than DIC has not been determined, therefore FDP and D-dimer assays should be performed concurrently as supportive tests for the diagnosis of DIC in dogs.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

OBJECTIVES

To provide an overview of the pathophysiology, manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as it occurs in cancer.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, research reports, and book chapters.

CONCLUSIONS

The syndrome of DIC is a serious hypercoagulation state that in its acute form may be life-threatening. The hemorrhage and intravascular coagulation that occur with DIC may lead to irreversible morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and emergency treatment are necessary to help minimize morbidity and mortality.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses can play an important role in early recognition of DIC to allow for prompt intervention. Nurses caring for patients affected by DIC will be providing complex nursing care, in addition to psychosocial support to patients and families.

Serum cardiolipin antibodies in cancer patients with thromboembolic events

This study was undertaken to investigate a possible association of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLAs) in cancer patients with thromboembolic events. Twenty-five patients with solid tumors complicated with acute thrombosis, 36 cancer patients without any thrombotic events, and a group of 20 healthy volunteers without thrombosis or malignancy were included. The mean age of the cancer patients with and without thrombosis and healthy subjects were 50 years (range 20-75), 45 years (range 23-66), and 40 years (range 20-68), respectively. Deep venous thrombosis (n = 16) and thrombosis of the central venous port-catheter systems (n = 9) were confirmed by Doppler sonography in all patients. IgG and IgM isotypes of ACLAs were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with normal levels of < 23 GPL and < 11 MPL, respectively. Mean values of IgG ACLAs were found similar in cancer patients with acute thrombosis (13.8 +/- 4.9 GPL), without thrombosis (12.8 +/- 5.4 GPL) or in healthy subjects (14.8 +/- 5.5 GPL). Although the mean values of IgM ACLAs were within normal limits in all groups, cancer patients with thrombotic events had higher levels of IgM ACLAs (mean = 10.5 +/- 2.2 MPL) than cancer patients without thrombosis (mean = 4.6 +/- 2.4 MPL) (p = .01). Healthy subjects also had lower levels of IgM ACLAs (mean = 7.1 +/- 3.2 MPL) than cancer patients with thrombosis (p = .16). In addition, a higher percentage of cancer patients with or without thrombosis had IgM and IgG ACLA levels above normal limits compared with healthy controls. In conclusion, our study suggests an association between ACLAs or IgG and particularly IgM isotypes and venous thrombosis in malignancy. Identification of cancer patients who are at higher risk for developing thromboembolic events might lead to a better selection of patients for prophylactic anticoagulant therapy.

Resolved splenic accumulation of Tc-99m HMDP after recovery of disseminated intravascular coagulation in a patient with rhabdomyosarcoma

Unusual, intense splenic radioactivity was seen on bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m HMDP in a 14-year-old boy with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Abnormal splenic radioactivity was resolved after recovery from the disseminated intravascular coagulation. During treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation and tumors, the patient received repeated blood transfusions, resulting in iron overload, but this did not prevent the abnormal splenic uptake from resolving. This case indicates that disseminated intravascular coagulation may be a cause of splenic accumulation of bone-seeking agents, and that abnormal splenic uptake can be resolved.

Pedal manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a complex hemostatic imbalance associated with many disease states. The potentially lethal systemic consequences of this disease mandate that the podiatric physician obtain a complete detailed history in addition to proceeding with appropriate consultations from other specialties. If haste is utilized and surgical intervention is undertaken without careful consideration, a potentially fatal situation may ensue. A comprehensive case report highlighting the pedal presentation and complications, and an overview of this disease process are presented.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation: clinical and laboratory aspects

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex acquired coagulopathy resulting from excessive thrombin formation. Abnormal tissue factor (TF) expression is a major mechanism initiating DIC in many disorders, including obstetrical complications, sepsis, cancer, and trauma. Numerous laboratory tests are available to monitor DIC, but most patients 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 coagulopathy. Novel treatments are being investigated for treating DIC; many of these experimental modalities target the excessive TF activity that characterizes DIC.

Penile gangrene in lung cancer

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Etiology and treatment of acquired coagulopathies in the critically ill adult and child

Excessive bleeding frequently complicates the care of critically ill patients. Except in the case of trauma or inpatients with known coagulopathies, the bleeding is generally not directly related to the illness that results in admission to the intensive care unit. In general, the causes of the bleeding can be divided into three categories: consumptive coagulopathies, bleeding related to "hepatic issues," and iatrogenic causes. In most circumstances, the pathogenesis and management of these acquired coagulopathies do not differ between the adult and child patient. However, some differences do exist in regards to the clinical manifestations and management of some consumptive coagulopathies. This article reviews the more common causes of bleeding in the critically ill patient and outlines diagnostic and treatment approaches for these patients. Particular emphasis will be placed on the differences in presentation and management where differences exist.

Predictors of fetal mortality in pregnant trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Fetal mortality after trauma is significant. This study was aimed at identifying factors responsible for this high fetal mortality.

METHODS

All pregnant trauma patients admitted to the two major Toronto trauma institutions during the period of November of 1991 to February of 1996 with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > or = 12 were assessed. Data on age, gestation, hypotension, ISS, hemoglobin, blood transfusion, length of stay, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and specific maternal injury were analyzed retrospectively to determine predictors of fetal mortality by comparison of patients with and without fetal survival.

RESULTS

Twenty of a total of 68 pregnant trauma patients qualified for entry into the trauma registry by having an ISS > or = 12. Overall fetal mortality was 65% (13 of 20) for ISS > or = 12, and there was one maternal death (age, 29 years; ISS, 66). There were no statistically significant differences between the fetal death and fetal survival groups in age (29.2 +/- 6.2 vs. 30.4 +/- 3.9 years), gestation (25.3 +/- 10.5 vs. 24.1 +/- 9.2 weeks), lowest systolic blood pressure (98.3 +/- 33.8 vs. 112 +/- 18.0 mm Hg), head injury rate (3 of 13 vs. 1 of 7), extremity injury rate (8 of 13 vs. 2 of 7), abdominal injury rate (4 of 13 vs. 0 of 7), pelvic fracture rate (6 of 13 vs. 1 of 7), and chest injury rate (5 of 13 vs. 3 of 7). However, ISS (27.7 +/- 3.5 vs. 14.2 +/- 11.4), lowest hemoglobin level (78.8 +/- 17.0 vs. 101.9 +/- 17.1), blood transfusions (10.8 +/- 6.3 vs. 0.9 +/- 1.6 units), length of stay (20.9 +/- 16.7 vs. 8.2 +/- 4.9 days), and the incidence of DIC (8 of 13 vs. 0 of 7) were statistically significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). All eight patients with abruptio placentae had associated fetal mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Apart from ISS, blood loss, and abruptio placentae; the presence of DIC was the most significant predictor of fetal mortality. This finding may represent stimulation of DIC by placental products entering the maternal circulation after significant intrauterine injury.

Thrombosis and hemorrhage in oncology patients

As outlined in this review, patients with cancer may harbor many alterations of hemostasis. These are multifaceted and must be considered when trying to control hemorrhage or thrombosis in cancer patients. Also, hemorrhage or thrombosis is often the final fatal event in many patients with metastatic solid tumor or hematologic malignancies. Patients with malignancy present a major clinical challenge in this new era of oncologic awareness and more aggressive care, which has led to prolonged survival for patients and a longer time frame during which these complications may develop. Therefore, these complications are occurring more commonly. It is important to realize that these alterations of hemostasis exist and must be approached in a sequential and logical manner with respect to diagnosis; only in this way can responsible, efficacious, and rational therapy be delivered to patients. By far the most common alteration of hemostasis in malignancy is that of hemorrhage associated with thrombocytopenia, either drug-induced, or radiation-induced, or from bone marrow invasion. Hemorrhage resulting from DIC, however, is also quite common and may present as hemorrhage, thrombosis, thromboembolus, or any combination thereof. Many antineoplastic drugs and radiation therapy may lead to or significantly enhance hemorrhage in patients with malignancy. Thrombosis, also commonly seen in patients with malignancy, is often a manifestation of low-grade DIC. When approaching the patient with malignancy and either hemorrhage or thrombosis, all the potential defects in hemostasis must be considered, defined from the laboratory standpoint, and treated in as precise and logical manner as possible.

Effects of lipopolysaccharide on the expression of fibrinolytic factors in an established cell line from human endothelial cells

Human endothelial cells express antithrombotic properties by producing prostacyclin, heparan sulphate and plasminogen activator (PA). Bacterial extract, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), damaged the blood vessels and destroyed the balance between the antithrombotic and thrombotic functions of endothelial cells. The fibrinolytic system is involved in antithrombotic functions. The TKM-33 cell line was established from human endothelial cells. In order to determine whether TKM-33 is a good fibrinolytic system endothelial cell expression model, the expression of fibrinolytic factors in TKM-33 cells treated with or without LPS was studied. The endothelial cells which had not been treated with LPS produced and secreted a large amount of urokinase-type PA (u-PA), and small amounts of tissue-type PA (t-PA) and PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which were identified immunohistochemically and by electrophoretic enzymography. Diisopropylfluorophosphate-treated 125I-u-PA bound specifically to acid-treated monolayered endothelial cells with a Kd of 2.83 +/- 0.61 nM, and Bmax of (0.11 +/- 0.01) x 10(6) sites/cell. u-PAR expression was detected in endothelial cells by Northern blot analysis. Thus, endothelial cells was shown to express u-PAR which binds u-PA specifically. In the binding assay, the stimulation of endothelial cells with 0.1, 1.0 and 10 micrograms/ml of LPS altered the Kd values to 6.04 +/- 0.71, 7.03 +/- 1.55 and 7.38 +/- 1.03 nM, respectively. However the Bmax values did not change significantly. Although LPS treatment increased u-PAR expression in endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner, the expression of u-PA and t-PA mRNAs was not altered significantly. LPS stimulation (10 micrograms/ml) increased the expression of PAI-1 mRNA, significantly. The PA activity recovered from the cell surface fraction was not affected by LPS stimulation, but the PAI-1 activity was increased. These findings suggest that the established endothelial cell line, TKM-33, possesses the characteristics of endothelial cells and they express u-PAR on their cell surface, which is occupied by intrinsic u-PA secreted from the cells, and that treatment of endothelial cells with LPS changes the cell surface characteristics and inhibited the u-PAR expression thus promoting the prothrombotic function concomitantly with increased PAI-1 activity.

Platelet-associated bleeding disorders

OBJECTIVE

To provide a review of platelet disorders, treatment, and nursing care.

DATA SOURCES

Review articles and book chapters pertaining to quantitative and qualitative platelet disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Platelet-associated bleeding disorders are classified as quantitative (abnormal number), qualitative (abnormal function), or hypercoagulable states (errors in hemostasis). The resulting complications include thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypercoagulation, or bleeding dyscrasias. The administration of drugs, plasma, or platelet therapy may be beneficial to these patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Patients with platelet disorders are at great risk of life-threatening hemorrhage and require close monitoring to prevent unnecessary sequelae. Patient instruction to prevent trauma is required.