Abstract
Background: We investigated the relationship between protein C (PC) activity and the prognosis of septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single center study of 50 cases of septic DIC, including 42 of recovery from DIC, between October 2008 and January 2011. We investigated the relationship of severity, organ damage, and coagulation and fibrinolysis factor with prognosis using receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Both antithrombin (AT) and PC activities at the time of DIC diagnosis correlated to prognosis of septic DIC and recovery from DIC. The cut-off values for AT and PC activities associated with survival were ≥50.2% and ≥39.9%, respectively. AT activity had a higher negative predictive value and sensitivity, whereas PC activity had a higher positive predictive value and specificity. Conclusion: Similar to AT activity, PC activity is useful to predict the prognosis of septic DIC.
