There are global coagulation tests and hemostatic molecular markers in the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC). In the global coagulation tests, the sensitivity of prothrombin time ratio and fibrinogen for the diagnosis of DIC is low, but their specificity is high. In platelet count and FDP, the sensitivity for the diagnosis of DIC is good, but the specificity is low. Fibrinogen may be unsuitable for the diagnosis of DIC, because it increases of the inflammatory reaction. It is possible to theoretically diagnose DIC by increased tissue factor production. It is currently considered that hemostatic molecular marker should be utilized to diagnose DIC. Thrombin-antithrombin complex and soluble fibrin are reflected to hypercoagulable state, thrombomodulin to vascular endothelial cell injuries, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-I to hypofibrinolytic state. In leukemia with DIC, hyperfibrinolysis and marked bleeding symptoms are often observed. In septicemia with DIC, hypofibrinolysis and severe organ failure often occur. Early diagnosis and treatment of DIC are important to improve the prognosis, and hemostatic molecular markers should be useful for that purpose.

*Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu 514-8507

【Key Words】DIC, hemostatic molecular marker, global coagulation tests, pre-DIC, outcome