Disseminated intravascular coagulation and cirrhotic coagulopathy: overlap and differences. The current state of knowledge. Communication from the SSC of the ISTH.

Abstract

Patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) have decreasing plasma levels of coagulation factors and platelet counts with increased levels of D-dimers. Standard laboratory tests are used clinically to diagnose DIC and quantify the severity of the disease. In patients with cirrhosis, liver-derived plasma coagulation factor levels are reduced due to decreased hepatic synthesis, further exacerbated by extravascular redistribution of these proteins, causing prolongation of routine diagnostic coagulation tests. Platelets are often decreased in cirrhosis due to reduced production and portal hypertension, resulting in hypersplenism and sequestration. Patients with cirrhosis frequently have elevated fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products levels without having acute medical decompensation. As a result, these patients commonly meet the laboratory criteria of DIC. However, it has been debated whether laboratory-assessed DIC is present in patients with cirrhosis and if it has clinical relevance. In this communication, we review hemostatic features in cirrhosis and DIC, examine published studies that evaluate the activation of hemostasis in patients with cirrhosis, and highlight future directions for research.