Toll-like receptors on platelets: the key for disseminated intravascular coagulation in sepsis?

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an acquired disorder that occurs in a wide variety of clinical conditions. It is characterized by the widespread activation of coagulation, which results in the intravascular formation of fibrin and ultimately thrombotic occlusion of small and midsize vessels. Intravascular coagulation can also compromise the blood supply to organs and, in conjunction with hemodynamic and metabolic derangements, may contribute to the failure of multiple organs. Infectious disease, in particular sepsis, is the most common clinical condition associated with DIC, which approximately 30–50% of patients with severe sepsis present this syndrome [ 1 Levi M. Ten Cate H. Disseminated intravascular coagulation. N. Engl. J. Med. 1999; 341: 586-592 Crossref PubMed Scopus (892) Google Scholar , 2 Levi M. de Jonge E. van der Poll T. Sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. J. Thromb. Thrombolysis. 2003; 16: 43-47 Crossref PubMed Scopus (152) Google Scholar , 3 Amaral A. Opal S.M. Vincent J.L. Coagulation in sepsis. Intensive Care Med. 2004; 30: 1032-1040 Crossref PubMed Scopus (119) Google Scholar ].