Thromb Haemostasis
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Review Meta Analysis
The role of heparin and allied compounds in the treatment of sepsis.
The crosstalk between coagulation and inflammation and the propensity for microthromboembolic disease during sepsis calls for anticoagulant measures to prevent tissue hypoxygenation and to attenuate organ damage and dysfunction. Only one anticoagulant, recombinant human activated protein C (aPC, drotrecogin-alpha) has a proven survival benefit when used as an adjunctive therapy for human sepsis, partly because of its anti-inflammatory effect. ⋯ In any case, the results of a meta-analysis based on animal data suggest a potentially life-saving effect of heparin (-like compounds) in the treatment of sepsis. Therefore, a prospective randomized clinical trial is called upon to study effects in human sepsis.