Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0012739 (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
 8,673 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Hemostatic abnormalities are present in a majority of patients with metastatic cancer. These abnormalities can be categorized as 1) increased platelet aggregation and activation, 2) abnormal activation of coagulation cascade, 3) release of plasminogen activator, and 4) decreased hepatic synthesis of anticoagulant proteins like Protein C and antithrombin III. The abnormal activation of coagulation cascade is mediated through release of Tissue Factor, Factor X activators, and other miscellaneous procoagulants from the plasma membrane vesicles of tumor cells. Macrophages of a tumor-bearing host also produce increased amounts of Tissue Factor. Production of Factor X activators and macrophage Tissue Factor is decreased by warfarin. The ability of the tumor cells to produce platelet-aggregating activity and plasminogen activator parallels their metastatic potential in animal and experimental systems. These studies also show that antiplatelet agents and antibodies against plasminogen activator can suppress the metastatic process. One or more laboratory abnormalities of hemostasis can be shown in up to 95% of patients with metastatic cancer. These abnormalities, however, are unable to predict subsequent development of thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications. Clinical complications occur in 9-15% of the patients in the form of thrombotic or hemorrhagic disorders. The therapy of tumor-related coagulopathy should be guided by its clinical expression. Subclinical DIC should not be treated. Coumadin is generally ineffective for therapy of thrombosis in cancer patients. There is no consensus regarding the use of heparin in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The defibrination in APL may be from disseminated intravascular coagulation as well as systemic fibrinolysis, as shown by decreased alpha 2 antiplasmin levels. In such cases, epsilon aminocaproic acid plus heparin therapy may be of benefit.
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PMID:Hemostasis in malignancy. 174 46

Severe homozygous protein C deficiency is a rare but serious problem in the newborn, with a clinical presentation of purpura fulminans. We have presented such a case in an 1,870 gm female neonate. Salient clinical findings in this case include DIC associated with extensive ecchymosis and subsequent gangrene of the skin, thrombotic complications that began on the third day of life. There was no precipitating infection. The progressive gangrenous necrosis of heel and toes was refractory to heparin therapy, but there was clinical improvement after treatment with fresh frozen plasma. Our patient's level of protein C antigen was less than 3% (normal 70% to 130%). Levels of other vitamin-K-dependent factors, as well as factor V, factor VIIIC, and antithrombin III were normal. A heterozygous protein C deficiency was documented in the mother and father. Presently the child is receiving warfarin sodium (Coumadin) therapy and is clinically stable.
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PMID:Protein C deficiency. 381 Feb 23

A case study report is presented of a 20 year old black woman with a past history of oral contraceptive (OC) use who developed Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic vein thrombosis) associated with decreased levels of antithrombin 3. This combination has not been previously reported. The woman presented on December 28, 1979 with midepigastric pain. She had no previous illnesses, but OCs had been used up to 2 years prior to admission. Shortly after admission the patient became hypotensive, developed oliguric renal failure, and began to rapidly accumulate ascites. During this admission, the patient's transaminase levels abruptly declined. A percutaneous liver biopsy obtained on January 9, 1980 showed centrilobular hemorrhagic necrosis of a severe degree. An inferior vena cavagram was repeated on January 14, 1980 demonstrating hepatic vein thrombosis. Streptokinase, followed by heparinization, was given in an effort to lyse the thrombi, but repeat inferior cavagram on January 24th proved this to be unsuccessful. Thrombosis of the left iliac and left femoral vein then appeared. Because of her apparent "hypercoagulable state," the antithrombin 3 level was measured on January 31st and found to be 27%. A simultaneous serum fibrinogen was 255 mg/dl. Family members (father, mother, and 4 children) were studied. All had normal antithrombin 3 levels, thus excluding a familial defect. The patient gradually improved and was discharged on February 25, 1980 on Coumadin, diuretics, and a 3 g sodium diet. Because of ascites and peripheral edema, a LeVeen shunt was placed on March 25, 1980. At surgery, she was noted to have obstruction of the right internal jugular and right cephalic veins. Because of possible thrombosis in the superior inferior vena cava branches, venography was performed on March 31st and demonstrated thrombosis of the right subclavian, inferior vena cava, and internal iliac veins. Despite the therapy, patient again began to reaccumulate ascites and was readmitted on May 17th. The then nonfunctioning shunt was repositioned in the patient's right atrium. Postoperatively, the patient's course was complicated by DIC. Because heparin induced thromboycytopenia was suspected, heparin was discontinued and Coumadin begun. On June 6th the patient became suddenly short of breath. A lung scan was consistent with pulmonary embolism. She could not be adequately ventilated and died on June 8th. Although the patient discontinued OC use 2 years prior to initial presentation of the disease, the morphologic features of the venous thrombosis and hepatic damage were indicative of a chronic, ongoing process of longer than 6 months' duration, thus raising the possibility of a cause-effect relationship between the OC and thrombotic process. Prospective studies are needed to substantiate the view of a relationship between OC use, antithrombin 3 deficiency, and the Budd-Chiari syndrome.
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PMID:Budd-Chiari Syndrome and antithrombin III deficiency. 710 23