ABSTRACT
Abnormalities of the coagulation system are another frequent cause of coagulopathy in the intensive care unit (ICU). In addition to thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction which is commonly due to organ failure, hypothermia, or medications, is another significant cause of coagulopathy in the ICU. The mainstays of treatment for coagulopathies continue to be treatment of the underlying condition, replacement of deficiencies and discontinuation of any anti-thrombotic or anti-platelet medications. The most common cause of thrombocytopenia in the ICU, however, is sepsis followed by trauma and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In a study conducted by Vanderschueren et al., the mortality rate for ICU patients was 35% in patients who were thrombocytopenic at admission compared to 9% mortality for ICU patients who never developed thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia, which occurs in approximately 25% of all critically ill patients, has an increased incidence of 35–8211;40% in surgical or trauma ICU patients.
