Thrombocyte and erythrocyte indices in sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract

Sepsis is the inflammatory response against infection. The existence of DIC during sepsis indicates a poor prognosis and coagulation abnormalities and thrombocytopenia may exist. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet and erythrocyte indices in sepsis patients with DIC and without DIC. In both groups coagulation tests, platelet count and indices, erythrocyte count and indices were retrospectively analysed. In the sepsis plus DIC patients the prothrombin time and D-dimer values were found significantly higher and fibrinogen, platelet and plateletcrit were found significantly lower than in the sepsis without DIC group. The analysis of mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, erythrocyte count and indices revealed no significant differences between the two groups. These results showed us that the depression of bone marrow in septic patients with DIC and without DIC did not differ. The activation of the coagulation system might probably be the cause of thrombocyte depletion in DIC.