Skip to main content
Log in

Disseminierte intravasale Gerinnung

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

  • ÜBERSICHT
  • Published:
Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin

Summary

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a clinical condition associated with non-localized coagualtion activation and fibrin formation in the flowing blood. DIC is triggered by a variety of diseases, including sepsis, trauma, cellular necrosis, vascular malformations, malignancies, or inflow of thromboplastic material. Patients with DIC display increased mortality and a more severe clinical course with a higher rate of organ dysfunction, compared to patients with the same disease without DIC. Sepsisinduced purpura fulminans is typically caused by meningococcal and pneumococcal infections and is associated with microvascular thrombosis in the skin and various organs. Protein C levels are very low in patients with purpura fulminans. Therefore, either recombinant activated protein C or protein C concentrate are used therapeutically. In other cases of DIC not associated with purpura fulminans, bleeding is the dominant clinical feature. These patients are treated with platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, fibrinogen concentrate and various other coagulation factor preprarations. In cases of severe diffuse hemorrhage, recombinant factor VIIa is used. Antithrombin concentrate is used in patients treated with heparin for extracorporal circulation procedures and patients with macrovascular thrombosis, if low antithrombin levels or ‘heparin resistance’ are found.

Zusammenfassung

Disseminierte intravasale Gerinnung (DIG) ist ein klinischer Zustand mit nicht-lokalisierter Gerinnungsaktivierung und Fibrinbildung im fließenden Blut. Auslöser können verschiedene Kranheitsbilder, beispielsweise Sepsis, Trauma, Zellzerfall, vaskuläre Malformationen, malignen Erkrankungen, oder Einschwemmung von thromboplastischem Material sein. Patienten mit DIG zeigen im Vergleich zu Patienten mit der gleichen Grunderkrankung ohne DIG eine verringerte Überlebensrate und eine höhere Rate von Organdysfunktionen und anderen klinischen Komplikationen. Die Sepsis-induzierte Purpura fulminans wird unter anderem bei Patienten mit Meningokokken- und Pneumokokkeninfektionen beobachtet. Es finden sich mikrovaskuläre Thrombosen in der Haut und in den Organen, sowie eine starke Verminderung von Protein C. Therapeutisch werden rekombinantes aktiviertes Protein C oder Protein-C-Konzentrat eingesetzt. Bei anderen Patienten mit DIG ist das führende klinische Symptom die Blutung. Die Therapie umfasst Thrombocytenkonzentrate, Fibrinogenkonzentrat, Frischplasma und verschiedene Gerinnungsfaktorenkonzentrate, bei massiven diffusen Blutungen eventuell auch rekombinanten Faktor VIIa. Antithrombin-Konzentrat wird eingesetzt bei Patienten mit Heparintherapie wegen extrakorporaler Zirkulation oder makrovaskulären Thrombosen, wenn ein Antithrombin-Mangel bzw. eine Heparinresistenz festgestellt wird.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Taylor FB, Jr, Toh CH, Hoots WK, Wada H, Levi M (2001) Towards definition, clinical and laboratory criteria, and a scoring system for disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thromb Haemost 86:1327–1330

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Osterud B (1998) Tissue factor expression by monocytes: regulation and pathophysiological roles. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 9:S9–14

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Todoroki H, Nakamura S, Higure A, Okamoto K, Takeda S, Nagata N, Itoh H, et al (2000) Neutrophils express tissue factor in a monkey model of sepsis. Surgery 127:209–216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mattsson E, Herwald H, Bjorck L, Egesten A (2002) Peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus induces tissue factor expression and procoagulant activity in human monocytes. Infect Immun 70:3033–3039

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Mirlashari MR, Hoiby EA, Holst J, Lyberg T (2001) Outer membrane vesicles from Neisseria meningitidis: effects on tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 production in human monocytes. Thromb Res 102:375–380

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Wada H, Wakita Y, Nakase T, Shimura M, Hiyoyama K, Nagaya S, Mori Y et al (1995) Outcome of disseminated intravascular coagulation in relation to the score when treatment was begun. Mie DIC Study Group. Thromb Haemost 74:848–852

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Gando S, Nanzaki S, Kemmotsu O (1999) Disseminated intravascular coagulation and sustained systemic inflammatory response syndrome predict organ dysfunctions after trauma: application of clinical decision analysis. Ann Surg 229:121–127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dhainaut JF, Yan SB, Joyce DE, Pettila V, Basson B, Brandt JT, Sundin DP et al (2004) Treatment effects of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in patients with severe sepsis with or without overt disseminated intravascular coagulation. J Thromb Haemost 2:1924–1933

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ely EW, Laterre PF, Angus DC, Helterbrand JD, Levy H, Dhainaut JF, Vincent JL et al (2003) Drotrecogin alfa (activated) administration across clinically important subgroups of patients with severe sepsis. Crit Care Med 31:12–19

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Wada H, Sase T, Matsumoto T, Kushiya F, Sakakura M, Mori Y, Nishikawa M et al (2003) Increased soluble fibrin in plasma of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 9:233–240

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wada H, Gabazza EC, Asakura H, Koike K, Okamoto K, Maruyama I, Shiku H et al (2003) Comparison of diagnostic criteria for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): diagnostic criteria of the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare for overt DIC. Am J Hematol 74:17–22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lasch HG (1970) [Clinical aspects and therapy of disseminated intravascular coagulation]. Hamatol Bluttransfus 9:121–131

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Taylor FB Jr, Wada H, Kinasewitz G (2000) Description of compensated and uncompensated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) responses (non-overt and overt DIC) in baboon models of intravenous and intraperitoneal Escherichia coli sepsis and in the human model of endotoxemia: toward a better definition of DIC. Crit Care Med 28:S12–19

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wada H, Wakita Y, Nakase T, Shimura M, Hiyoyama K, Nagaya S, Mori Y, et al (1996) Diagnosis of pre-disseminated intravascular coagulation stage with hemostatic molecular markers. The Mie DIC Study Group. Pol J Pharmacol 48:225–228

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Sjobring U, Ringdahl U, Ruggeri ZM (2002) Induction of platelet thrombi by bacteria and antibodies. Blood 100:4470–4477

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Mosesson MW (2003) Antithrombin I. Inhibition of thrombin generation in plasma by fibrin formation. Thromb Haemost 89:9–12

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lijnen HR, Soria J, Soria C, Collen D, Caen JP (1984) Dysfibrinogenemia (fibrinogen Dusard) associated with impaired fibrin-enhanced plasminogen activation. Thromb Haemost 51:108–109

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Mosesson MW, Siebenlist KR, Voskuilen M, Nieuwenhuizen W (1998) Evaluation of the factors contributing to fibrin-dependent plasminogen activation. Thromb Haemost 79:796–801

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Yakovlev S, Makogonenko E, Kurochkina N, Nieuwenhuizen W, Ingham K, Medved L (2000) Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin: mechanism of exposure of tPA- and plasminogenbinding sites. Biochemistry 39:15730–15741

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Riewald M, Petrovan RJ, Donner A, Ruf W (2003) Activated protein C signals through the thrombin receptor PAR1 in endothelial cells. J Endotoxin Res 9:317–321

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Riewald M, Petrovan RJ, Donner A, Mueller BM, Ruf W (2002) Activation of endothelial cell protease activated receptor 1 by the protein C pathway. Science 296:1880–1882

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Brueckmann M, Lang S, Borggrefe M, Huhle G, Haase KK (2003) Drotrecogin alfa (activated) prolongs half-life time of messenger RNA encoding for interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Thromb Haemost 90:1223–1226

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Brueckmann M, Marx A, Martin Weiler H, Liebe V, Lang S, Kaden JJ, Zieger W et al (2003) Stabilization of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-mRNA by activated protein C. Thromb Haemost 89:149–160

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Zeng W, Matter WF, Yan SB, Um SL, Vlahos CJ, Liu L (2004) Effect of drotrecogin alfa (activated) on human endothelial cell permeability and Rho kinase signaling. Crit Care Med 32:S302–308

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Weiler H, Kerlin B, Lytle MC (2004) Factor V Leiden polymorphism modifies sepsis outcome: evidence from animal studies. Crit Care Med 32:S233–238

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kerlin BA, Yan SB, Isermann BH, Brandt JT, Sood R, Basson BR, Joyce DE et al (2003) Survival advantage associated with heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation in patients with severe sepsis and in mouse endotoxemia. Blood 102:3085–3092

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Yan SB, Nelson DR (2004) Effect of factor V Leiden polymorphism in severe sepsis and on treatment with recombinant human activated protein C. Crit Care Med 32:S239–246

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Mavrommatis AC, Theodoridis T, Orfanidou A, Roussos C, Christopoulou-Kokkinou V, Zakynthinos S (2000) Coagulation system and platelets are fully activated in uncomplicated sepsis. Crit Care Med 28:451–457

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Niessen RW, Lamping RJ, Jansen PM, Prins MH, Peters M, Taylor FB, Jr, de Vijlder JJ et al (1997) Antithrombin acts as a negative acute phase protein as established with studies on HepG2 cells and in baboons. Thromb Haemost 78:1088–1092

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Asakura H, Ontachi Y, Mizutani T, Kato M, Ito T, Saito M, Morishita E et al (2001) Decreased plasma activity of antithrombin or protein C is not due to consumption coagulopathy in septic patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Eur J Haematol 67:170–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Asakura H, Ontachi Y, Mizutani T, Kato M, Ito T, Saito M, Morishita E et al (2001) Depressed plasma activity of plasminogen or alpha2 plasmin inhibitor is not due to consumption coagulopathy in septic patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 12:275–281

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Boldt J, Papsdorf M, Rothe A, Kumle B, Piper S (2000) Changes of the hemostatic network in critically ill patients—is there a difference between sepsis, trauma, and neurosurgery patients? Crit Care Med 28:445–450

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Abraham E, Reinhart K, Opal S, Demeyer I, Doig C, Rodriguez AL, Beale R et al (2003) Efficacy and safety of tifacogin (recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor) in severe sepsis: a randomized controlled trial. Jama 290:238–247

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Fox B (1971) Disseminated intravascular coagulation and the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. Arch Dis Child 46:680–685

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Adcock DM, Hicks MJ (1990) Dermatopathology of skin necrosis associated with purpura fulminans. Semin Thromb Hemost 16:283–292

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Haslund R (1973) Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome. Endotoxin shock treated with massive doses of cortisol. J Oslo City Hosp 23:49–64

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Auburtin M, Porcher R, Bruneel F, Scanvic A, Trouillet JL, Bedos JP, Regnier B et al (2002) Pneumococcal meningitis in the intensive care unit: prognostic factors of clinical outcome in a series of 80 cases. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 165:713–717

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Lineaweaver W, Franzini D, Dragonetti D, McCarley D, Rumley T (1986) Haemophilus influenzae meningitis and Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome in an adult. South Med J 79:1034–1036

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Canpolat C, Bakir M (2002) A case of purpura fulminans secondary to transient protein C deficiency as a complication of chickenpox infection. Turk J Pediatr 44:148–151

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Karakousis PC, Page KR, Varello MA, Howlett PJ, Stieritz DD (2001) Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome after infection with group A streptococcus. Mayo Clin Proc 76:1167–1170

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Arevalo JM, Lorente JA, Fonseca R (1998) Surgical treatment of extensive skin necrosis secondary to purpura fulminans in a patient with meningococcal sepsis. Burns 24:272–274

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Muller FM, Ehrenthal W, Hafner G, Schranz D (1996) Purpura fulminans in severe congenital protein C deficiency: monitoring of treatment with protein C concentrate. Eur J Pediatr 155:20–25

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Nakayama T, Matsushita T, Hidano H, Suzuki C, Hamaguchi M, Kojima T, Saito H (2000) A case of purpura fulminans is caused by homozygous delta8857 mutation (protein C-nagoya) and successfully treated with activated protein C concentrate. Br J Haematol 110:727–730

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Soria JM, Morell M, Jimenez-Astorga C, Estivill X, Sala N (1995) Severe type I protein C deficiency in a compound heterozygote for Y124C and Q132X mutations in exon 6 of the PROC gene. Thromb Haemost 74:1215-1220

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Hermans PW, Hibberd ML, Booy R, Daramola O, Hazelzet JA, de Groot R, Levin M (1999) 4G/5G promoter polymorphism in the plasminogenactivator-inhibitor-1 gene and outcome of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal Research Group. Lancet 354:556–560

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Menges T, Hermans PW, Little SG, Langefeld T, Boning O, Engel J, Sluijter M et al (2001) Plasminogen-activator-inhibitor-1 4G/5G promoter polymorphism and prognosis of severely injured patients. Lancet 357:1096–1097

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Westendorp RG, Hottenga JJ, Slagboom PE (1999) Variation in plasminogen-activator-inhibitor-1 gene and risk of meningococcal septic shock. Lancet 354:561–563

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Vaccarella G, Pelella R (2003) Replacement treatment with protein C in an 18-year-old man with meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans. Minerva Anestesio 69:691–695

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. de Kleijn ED, de Groot R, Hack CE, Mulder PG, Engl W, Moritz B, Joosten KF, et al (2003) Activation of protein C following infusion of protein C concentrate in children with severe meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study. Crit Care Med 31:1839–1847

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Childers BJ, Cobanov B (2003) Acute infectious purpura fulminans: a 15-year retrospective review of 28 consecutive cases. Am Surg 69:86–90

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Alberio L, Lammle B, Esmon CT (2001) Protein C replacement in severe meningococcemia: rationale and clinical experience. Clin Infect Dis 32:1338–1346

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. White B, Livingstone W, Murphy C, Hodgson A, Rafferty M, Smith OP (2000) An open-label study of the role of adjuvant hemostatic support with protein C replacement therapy in purpura fulminans-associated meningococcemia. Blood 96:3719–3724

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Rintala E, Kauppila M, Seppala OP, Voipio-Pulkki LM, Pettila V, Rasi V, Kotilainen P (2000) Protein C substitution in sepsis-associated purpura fulminans. Crit Care Med 28:2373–2378

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Ettingshausen CE, Veldmann A, Beeg T, Schneider W, Jager G, Kreuz W (1999) Replacement therapy with protein C concentrate in infants and adolescents with meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans. Semin Thromb Hemost 25:537–541

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bachli EB, Vavricka SR, Walter RB, Leschinger MI, Maggiorini M (2003) Drotrecogin alfa (activated) for the treatment of meningococcal purpura fulminans. Intensive Care Med 29:337

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Weisel G, Joyce D, Gudmundsdottir A, Shasby DM (2002) Human recombinant activated protein C in meningococcal sepsis. Chest 121:292–295

    Google Scholar 

  57. Chenaille PJ, Horowitz ME (1989) Purpura fulminans. A case for heparin therapy. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 28:95–98

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Feinstein DI (1982) Diagnosis and management of disseminated intravascular coagulation: the role of heparin therapy. Blood 60:284–287

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Tanaka K, Imamura T (1983) Incidence and clinicopathological significance of DIC in autopsy cases. Bibl Haematol, pp 79–93

  60. Watanabe T, Imamura T, Nakagaki K, Tanaka K (1979) Disseminated intravascular coagulation in autopsy cases. Its incidence and clinicopathologic significance. Pathol Res Pract 165:311–322

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Biron-Andreani C, Morau E, Schved JF, Hedon B, Dechaud H (2003) Amniotic fluid embolism with haemostasis complications: primary fibrinogenolysis or disseminated intravascular coagulation? Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb 33:170–171

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Bick RL (2000) Syndromes of disseminated intravascular coagulation in obstetrics, pregnancy, and gynecology. Objective criteria for diagnosis and management. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 14:999–1044

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Davies S (1999) Amniotic fluid embolism and isolated disseminated intravascular coagulation. Can J Anaesth 46:456–459

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Falanga A, Barbui T (2001) Coagulopathy of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Acta Haematol 106:43–51

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Kwaan HC, Wang J, Boggio LN (2002) Abnormalities in hemostasis in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Hematol Oncol 20:33–41

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Hair GA, Padula S, Zeff R, Schmeizl M, Contrino J, Kreutzer DL, de Moerloose P et al (1996) Tissue factor expression in human leukemic cells. Leuk Res 20:1–11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Geisbert TW, Young HA, Jahrling PB, Davis KJ, Kagan E, Hensley LE (2003) Mechanisms underlying coagulation abnormalities in ebola hemorrhagic fever: overexpression of tissue factor in primate monocytes/macrophages is a key event. J Infect Dis 188:1618–1629

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Mahanty S, Bray M (2004) Pathogenesis of filoviral haemorrhagic fevers. Lancet Infect Dis 4:487–498

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Hirsch DR, Ingenito EP, Goldhaber SZ (1995) Prevalence of deep venous thrombosis among patients in medical intensive care. Jama 274:335–337

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Moser KM, LeMoine JR, Nachtwey FJ, Spragg RG (1981) Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Frequency in a respiratory intensive care unit. Jama 246:1422–1424

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Samama MM, Cohen AT, Darmon JY, Desjardins L, Eldor A, Janbon C, Leizorovicz A, et al (1999) A comparison of enoxaparin with placebo for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in acutely ill medical patients. Prophylaxis in Medical Patients with Enoxaparin Study Group. N Engl J Med 341:793-800

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Young E, Podor TJ, Venner T, Hirsh J (1977) Induction of the acute-phase reaction increases heparin-binding proteins in plasma. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol17:1568–1574

    Google Scholar 

  73. Cosmi B, Fredenburgh JC, Rischke J, Hirsh J, Young E, Weitz JI (1997) Effect of nonspecific binding to plasma proteins on the antithrombin activities of unfractionated heparin, lowmolecular-weight heparin, and dermatan sulfate. Circulation 95:118–124

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Manson L, Weitz JI, Podor TJ, Hirsh J, Young E (1997) The variable anticoagulant response to unfractionated heparin in vivo reflects binding to plasma proteins rather than clearance. J Lab Clin Med 130:649–655

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Priglinger U, Delle Karth G, Geppert A, Joukhadar C, Graf S, Berger R, Hulsmann M et al (2003) Prophylactic anticoagulation with enoxaparin: Is the subcutaneous route appropriate in the critically ill? Crit Care Med 31:1405–1409

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Dorffler-Melly J, de Jonge E, Pont AC, Meijers J, Vroom MB, Buller HR, Levi M (2002) Bioavailability of subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin to patients on vasopressors. Lancet 359:849–850

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Asakura H, Sano Y, Yoshida T, Omote M, Ontachi Y, Mizutani T, Yamazaki M et al (2004) Beneficial effect of low-molecular-weight heparin against lipopolysaccharide-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in rats is abolished by coadministration of tranexamic acid. Intensive Care Med 30:1950–1955

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C.-E. Dempfle.

Additional information

Serie: Die Intensivtherapie bei Sepsis und Multiorganversagen Herausgegeben von L. Engelmann (Leipzig)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dempfle, CE., Borggrefe, M. Disseminierte intravasale Gerinnung. Intensivmed 43, 103–110 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00390-006-0595-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00390-006-0595-3

Key words

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation