Case report: low-dose intravenous heparin in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

A critically ill patient with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) secondary to gram negative septicemia is reported. Low dose (5-10 mu/kg/h) heparin by intravenous infusion promptly inhibited intravascular coagulation, as reflected by laboratory studies. Fibrin monomer (FM) became undetectable, concentration of fibrin degradation products (FDP) fell, fibrinogen rose, and the activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) shortened. Unintentional, temporary interruption of heparin resulted in transient return of abnormal laboratory values. The patient went on to make a complete recovery. Although the therapeutic contribution of heparin could not be proven in this patient, the laboratory data suggested that it was a valuable adjunct and in the dosage given unlikely to potentiate bleeding. The monitoring of heparin therapy in DIC by measurement of FDP, FM, and fibrinogen rather than clotting time is recommended.