ObjectiveTo determine the precise relationship between tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) after trauma, as well as to test the hypothesis that low TFPI levels are not sufficient to prevent tissue factor-dependent intravascular coagulation, leading to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).DesignProspective, observational cohort study.SettingEmergency room and intensive care unit in a university hospital.PatientsThirty-three trauma patients, 18 with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and 15 without DIC were studied. Ten normal, healthy volunteers served as control subjects.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsAntigen concentration of tissue factor and TFPI, and global parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis were measured on the day of admission, and on days 1–4 after admission. The number of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria that patients met and the DIC score were determined, simultaneously. The results of these measurements, incidence of MODS, and outcome were compared between the DIC patients and those without DIC. In the DIC patients, significantly higher tissue factor levels (p= .0049) and lower platelet counts (p= .0016) were found compared with the non-DIC patients and control subjects. However, the TFPI values remained at normal levels during the study period. No correlation was found between the peak levels of tissue factor and TFPI. The mean duration of SIRS and the maximum number of the SIRS criteria being met by the patients in the DIC group were statistically longer and higher than those in the non-DIC patients. The incidence of MODS and the number of the dysfunctioning organs were higher in the DIC patients compared with those in the non-DIC patients, and the DIC patients had a poor outcome.ConclusionsWe systematically elucidated the relationship between tissue factor and TFPI in post-trauma patients. Highly activated tissue factor-dependent coagulation pathway is not sufficiently prevented by the normal TFPI levels in patients with DIC. The DIC associated with thrombotic and inflammatory responses causes MODS, and leads to poor outcome in post-trauma patients.