Tissue factor pathway of coagulation in sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To review the role of the tissue factor pathway of coagulation in experimental sepsis. DATA SOURCES: Studies published in biomedical journals. STUDY SELECTION: Studies on the role of the tissue factor pathway in animal or human models for sepsis. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Variables reflecting tissue factor pathway activation in the various models are discussed; the effects of administration of tissue factor pathway inhibitors on these and inflammatory variables, as well as on the course and outcome, are analyzed. CONCLUSION: Activation of coagulation during experimental sepsis occurs mainly, if not exclusively, via the tissue factor pathway; inhibitors of this pathway improve mortality, presumably by a combined attenuating effect on coagulative and inflammatory responses.