ADAMTS13 and hemophagocytic syndrome: In patients with sepsis, thrombocytopenia has several causes, including increased consumption or destruction of platelets (e.g., disseminated intravascular coagulation, ADAMTS13 depletion, or hemophagocytic syndrome), decreased platelet production owing to myelosuppression and the phagocytosis of monocytes and macrophages, or excessive platelet loss due to surgery or mechanical organ support devices (11, 35–37).