Influence of thrombin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation on the arteriolar mechanics in the rat mesentery.

Microcirculatory disturbances in experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were analyzed. Fibrinolysis was inhibited by the intravenous injection of tranexamic acid (100 mg/kg) 15 minutes before thrombin infusion, and thrombin (200 IU/body) was infused for the following 60 minutes. After stopping the thrombin infusion, laparotomy was performed for the observation of the microcirculation in the mesentery. The internal diameter of arterioles (20-30 microns) was measured by the image-splitting method incorporated with a television monitor. The microcirculatory disturbances such as sludge and petechia appeared in the early period, and the arteriolar diameter increased gradually. The vasoconstrictive response to catecholamines was enhanced dose dependently. Experimental data suggest that dangerous disorders in the microcirculation might occur as a result of excessive treatment of DIC using catecholamines.