Clinical significance of intravascular coagulation.

In conclusion, intravascular coagulation in the microcirculation is an important intermediary mechanism of disease. It is always secondary to a primary etiologic factor, but often accounts for some of the major pathological and clinical manifestations of many diseases. It may be acute or chronic, local or disseminated, and is a major factor in the development of hypercoagulable blood with secondary thrombosis of large veins or arteries. Comprehension of its biological significance requires knowledge of the pathological anatomy as well as the physiological and biochemical changes in the blood and vasomotor apparatus in each individual disease or patient.