Infection/inflammation and hemostasis.

The association between coagulation and inflammation is a two-way process. Inflammation promotes coagulation, but key hemostatic proteins can promote inflammation. This two-way process creates a vicious cycle on a downward spiral to vascular injury, organ dysfunction, and death that are often the outcome of severe sepsis. Improved understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying the interaction between infection, inflammation, and coagulation has led to the development of several potential new agents for the treatment of severe sepsis. Among these agents, recombinant activated protein C has been shown to improve outcome, which is an exciting development in the search for effective treatments for patients with severe sepsis.