Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Findings in 346 patients

Thromb Haemost. 1980 Feb 29;43(1):28-33.

Abstract

An analysis was made of 346 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) diagnosed by utilizing a combination of laboratory tests which reflect the pathophysiology of the syndrome. The goals of the study were three fold: 1) to compare our clinical disease categories with those of other investigators, 2) to re-evaluate the diagnostic tests and, 3) most importantly, to report the results of tests infrequently performed when evaluating DIC. The patients fell into the following groups: 1) infection -- 26%, 2) malignancy -- 24%, 3) surgery and trauma -- 19%, 4) liver disease -- 8%, 5) miscellaneous -- 23%. Of the diagnostic tests, those for fibrin split products (FSP), fibrin monomer and antithrombin III were the most valuable. Of the clotting proteins, factors II, V, VII and X were the most frequently decreased. The factor VIII: C levels were in conflict with the prevailing dogma. Factor VIII:C levels were decreased in only 9% of patients studied and, in fact, were increased in the majority of cases. Factor VIIIR:Ag and F VIIIR:vW were elevated in 80% of the patients evaluated. An overall mortality of 68% further confirms the dismal prognosis previously associated with DIC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antithrombin III / analysis
  • Bleeding Time
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / physiopathology*
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Factor V / analysis
  • Factor VII / analysis
  • Factor VIII / analysis
  • Factor X / analysis
  • Female
  • Gels
  • Heart Diseases / surgery
  • Heparin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver Diseases / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / blood
  • Platelet Count
  • Prothrombin / analysis

Substances

  • Gels
  • Ethanol
  • Antithrombin III
  • Factor V
  • Factor VII
  • Prothrombin
  • Factor VIII
  • Factor X
  • Heparin