Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Septic Shock

Three pediatric patients with septic shock and coagulation abnormalities due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were not treated with heparin. All cases had restorable blood pressures and survived. Sequential coagulation data revealed that concomitant with improvement in blood pressure there was reversal of the consumption process. The results suggest that not all patients with septic shock and DIC need be heparinized. Data are also presented that suggest the shock state exacerbates a preexisting, activated coagulation system to DIC.