Coagulation problems in liver disease.

Three topics are addressed in this manuscript: (1) the causes of abnormal hemostasis in cirrhosis; (2) the evaluation of hemostasis in cirrhotic patients before invasive procedures or in the presence of bleeding; and (3) the assessment of the effect of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoSeven, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) on hemostatic function in cirrhotic patients. Laboratory experiments are described that could enhance the understanding of the effect of rFVIIa on blood coagulation during hemostasis in cirrhotic patients.