Coagulation Disorders in Intensive Care Patients

Abstract

Coagulation disorders are common in intensive care patients and may range from isolated thrombocytopenia or prolonged global clotting tests to complex defects, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. There can be a wide variety of causes for coagulation derangements in critically ill patients, and each of the underlying disorders may require specific therapeutic management. Hence, an appropriate differential diagnosis and the initiation of adequate (supportive) treatment strategies are crucial to a reduction in morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients with coagulation abnormalities.