ABSTRACT

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition whereby the coagulation cascade is activated in an accelerated and uncontrolled manner. The resulting intravascular fibrin deposition and microvascular thrombosis leads to tissue ischemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Clot production is magnified through the generation of serine proteases whose interactions with proinflammatory mediators are a key component of the organ dysfunction seen with DIC (1).