Diagnose und Therapie pathologischer Gerinnungsaktivierungen

Consumptive coagulation disorders are frequently observed in critically ill patients secondary to other underlying diseases. Initial hypercoagulability leads to subsequent hypocoagulability due to consumption of procoagulant proteins, inhibitors, and platelets. This process evolves in three distinct phases: an initial increase in coagulation activity is characterised by the activation of coagulation factors and platelets without any clinical symptoms of a haemorrhagic diathesis. The ongoing process of activation and accelerated consumption of coagulation factors and inhibitors causes a critical reduction in the haemostatic potential. The time of onset of the clinical symptoms of bleeding depends on the patient's underlying disease and its pharmacological management