American journal of hematology
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We examined the changes in plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, in 47 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) to investigate the role of ET-1 in DIC and its relation to multiple organ failure (MOF). A significant elevation of plasma levels of ET-1 was observed in some cases of DIC, especially in patients with sepsis, blastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, and cancer. ⋯ Although the levels of ET-1 were decreased or remained low with clinical improvement in most DIC patients, the levels were further increased or remained high in patients who showed no improvement in DIC. It is suggested that ET-1 must play an important role in further progression of MOF with the vasoconstriction and microcirculatory disorders.