[Disseminated intravascular coagulation and sepsis].

The authors give an account on the relations between disseminated intravascular coagulation, sepsis and multiorgan failure. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is defined as an acquired disorder of blood clotting with an increased turnover of thrombocytes, fibrinogen and coagulation factors. The authors discuss aetiopathogenetic aspects, possibilities of laboratory diagnosis, anticoagulation and substitution therapy and prophylaxis of disseminated intravascular coagulation in septicaemia. They emphasize comprehensive treatment of septicaemias where haematological monitoring and therapy must form an integral part. In an extensive series of septic multiorgan failures the authors detected failures apparent on laboratory examination in 41% of the patients.