Thromb J. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.1186/s12959-025-00812-x. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coagulation dysfunction significantly impacts sepsis prognosis. Standardized methods for evaluating anticoagulant efficacy and safety in this population remain lacking. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy in sepsis patients.
METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anticoagulants against placebo/no treatment in sepsis patients. The reduction in 28/30-day all-cause mortality or the regression of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was regarded as efficacy endpoints, while bleeding complications constituted the most prevalent adverse events.
RESULTS: Eighteen RCTs involving 8053 patients were included. Anticoagulant therapy demonstrated an 8% mortality risk reduction versus placebo (relative risk [RR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.98; P = 0.02). In six studies of baseline DIC patients, anticoagulants showed non-significant mortality reduction (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.62-1.22; P = 0.42) but significantly enhanced DIC regression (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.32-2.00; P < 0.00001). Anticoagulants increased bleeding risk (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.16-1.49; P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: Anticoagulant therapy confers survival benefit in the overall sepsis population despite increased bleeding risk. While improving DIC regression in sepsis-associated DIC, mortality reduction in this subgroup lacked statistical significance. Further research should clarify anticoagulants’ role in DIC-specific sepsis management.
PMID:41331689 | DOI:10.1186/s12959-025-00812-x
