Disseminated intravascular coagulation anticoagulants

A 51-year-old man was given piperacillin 2 g bd for osteomyelitis. After close to 4 weeks he developed acute renal insufficiency and superior mesenteric venous thrombosis. His coagulation profile showed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Withdrawal of piperacillin and anticoagulation therapy resulted in clinical improvement and normalization of the laboratory data. 

The administration of prothrombin complex concentrate to reverse anticoagulant treatment has been associated with thrombotic complications, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (8). However, such complications have typically occurred in patients with liver failure or after repeated treatment, such as in patients with hemophilia B treated with prothrombin complex concentrate (9). 

Fresh frozen plasma contains the components of the coagulation system and is indicated for the replacement of deficient coagulation factors II, V, VII, X, XI, and XIII. Factor VIII and IX deficiencies are treated with specific factor concentrates. Fresh frozen plasma is also used for the rapid reversal of warfarin anticoagulation and in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is treated by means of therapeutic plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma as the replacement fluid. Cryo-precipitate, which contains factor VIII, von Willebrand s factor, and fibrinogen, is indicated for the treatment of von Willebrand s disease that does not respond to desmopressin acetate, and for fibrinogen replacement (see Chap. 100). 

Uses Rapid anticoagulation (intensive) for thromboses, emboli, unstable angina, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), open-heart surgery, etc. Longer-term anticoagulation (controlled) for thromboses, emboli, post-MI, heart valve damage, atrial arrhythmias, etc. 

Lepirudin is used for treatment of patients who have thrombosis and thrombocytopenia as a result of an antibody-mediated reaction to heparin (see below). Antithrombin III is used for treatment of patients who need anticoagulation but are resistant to heparin because of a genetic deficiency in antithrombin III and also in some cases of acquired antithrombin III deficiency (eg, disseminated intravascular coagulation). 

Atrial fibrillation with mitral valve disease has long been considered a stroke risk factor. Recurrent embolism occurs in 30-65% of patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease who have a history of a previous embolic event. Most of these recurrences (around 60%) develop within the first year. Mechanical prosthetic valves are a prime site for thrombus formation and patients with these valves require anticoagulation [7, 38]. Bacterial endocarditis can cause stroke as well as intracerebral mycotic aneurysms. Because mycotic aneurysms are inflammatory defects in the vessel wall, treatment with systemic thrombolysis or anticoagulation can lead to rupture with subsequent lobar hemorrhage. Nonbacterial, or marantic, endocarditis is also associated with multiple embolic strokes. This condition is most common in patients with mucinous carcinoma and may be associated with a low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation. A nonbacterial endocarditis, called Libman-Sacks endocarditis, occurs in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [42],... 

Cardiovascular The main adverse effect of prothrombin complex concentrates is a risk of thrombosis, as patients taking oral anticoagulants have prothrombotic susceptibility factors [31, 33 ]. Reported thromboembolic complications include ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolism (venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), myocardial infarction, and disseminated intravascular coagulation [32 ]. 

The comprehensive review by Douglas provides a recent discussion of the clinically useful anticoagulants. Recent studies have shown heparin to be clearly effective in clinical states In which disseminated Intravascular coagulation was Indicated to be a pathologic factor.75 xhe most commonly employed oral anticoagulants are of the coumarin type such as warfarin and nicoumalone. The oral anticoagulants appear to be of value in the prevention of thromboembolic complications after myocardial infarction.9 76 However, anticoagulation therapy has been found to have no effect on death-rate in these patients.77 Warfarin has been shown to be effective in the prevention of postoperative venous thrombosis. 

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