Inflammation and Coagulation: A “Continuum” Between Coagulation Activation and Prothrombotic State

The close relationship between inflammation and coagulation is expressed mainly in three stages: blood coagulation activation, a decrease in natural anticoagulants activity and fibrinolytic process decrease. The connection between inflammation and coagulation is now well established. The inflammation also acts on the antithrombotic endothelial normal functions. The loss of homeostasis in normal coagulation processes, promotes not only a stressed thrombotic condition, but it leaves the inflammatory process constantly turned on. The inflammation/coagulation interaction could be represented like “a dog that bites its tail”. The review also considers the main coagulation testing and some therapeutic indications. The latter, although experimental and more expensive, in severe sepsis can replace the deficiency of natural anticoagulants, as well as reduce the inflammatory state.