Post-operative renal failure caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation

A 22-year-old man suffered a stab wound of the femoral artery and vein. This was followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Renal failure then occurred presumably due to fibrin deposition in the small vessels of the kidney. The D.I.C. was successfully treated with heparin and the renal failure with peritoneal dialysis. It is suggested that D.I.C. and consequent alterations in regional blood flow following trauma are not uncommon, and search should be made for these phenomena in every case of major trauma.