Introduction
Sepsis causes widespread microvascular injury and thrombosis. Some hemostatic factors mediate the mechanisms involved in sepsis-related organ ischemia and failure. Oxidative stress is also increased in sepsis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) favor secretion of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers from endothelium and inhibit vWF proteolysis by ADAMTS-13. Moreover, the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, an important immune regulator, is activated in sepsis and, through generation of kynurenins, promotes antioxidative and anti-infective activities. This study evaluated the relative role of ADAMTS-13, vWF and fibrinogen in the morbidity and mortality of patients with septic shock (SS). The above hemostatic factors were measured together with kynurenine and plasma protein carbonyls, marker of oxidative stress.