Blood coagulation and fibrinolytic factors as well as their inhibitors in trauma.

Tests generally accepted in the diagnosis of DIC were evaluated in 13 patients with multiple trauma. The blood samples were drawn on admission before treatment with blood, blood products or heparin. The tests included platelet count, prothrombin complex (Normotest/Thrombotest), Factor V, Factor VIII:C, fibrinogen, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), thrombin and Reptilase times as well as the ethanol gelation test (fibrin monomer). Based on the results of the tests, the patients were categorized into DIC, suspected DIC and no DIC groups. It was found that those patients who were referred to the DIC group were also those who later developed the most severe organ dysfunction and who stayed the longest time in the Intensive Care Unit. Thus, the clinical and laboratory findings agreed. The Normotest/Thrombotest ratio, thrombin times and Reptilase times, and presence of fibrin monomers were of limited value for the diagnosis of DIC. To make a correct diagnosis, the results of several of the conventional tests had to be combined. Additional tests were then evaluated. An increase of the fibrinopeptide A (FPA) level and the Factor VIIIR:Ag (vWF:Ag)/Factor VIII:C ratio in all the DIC patients as well as a decrease of the antithrombin (AT) level in some DIC patients indicated thrombin activity and a risk of thromboembolic events. A decrease of plasminogen and alpha 2-antiplasmin indicated activation of the fibrinolytic system. It is concluded that these new tests are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of DIC and similar proteolytic states.