Complement consumption in acute disseminated intravascular coagulation without antecedent immunopathology

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (aDIC) is a severe condition with high mortality.
• Traditional indicators of aDIC severity are well-established.
• The role of the complement system in aDIC requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavior of complement components (C3, C4, CH50) in patients with aDIC.
• To determine if complement levels correlate with aDIC severity and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Serum levels of complement components C3, C4, and total hemolytic complement CH50 were measured.
• Blood samples were collected from ten patients diagnosed with aDIC.
• Patient history was screened to exclude confounding immunologic, infectious, or hepatic diseases.

Main Results:

• Complement components C3 and C4 showed consumption patterns similar to fibrinogen and platelets.
• Total hemolytic complement CH50 activity paralleled C3 and C4 levels.
• CH50 activity also correlated with results from soluble coagulation factor screening tests.

Conclusions:

• Serum complement is consumed during the multisystem dysfunction characteristic of aDIC.
• Complement component levels may serve as additional indicators for gauging aDIC severity.
• Monitoring complement may enhance the assessment of aDIC patients alongside traditional markers.